Navi Mumbai: As climate change continues to impact the city, environmentalists have raised alarm over the felling of more than a hundred fully grown trees on Parsik Hills near CIDCO headquarters. They warn that this reckless destruction could trigger landslides along the Sion-Panvel highway.
Citing a recent Supreme Court observation that cutting trees is worse than taking human lives, the NatConnect Foundation has demanded strict action against those responsible for the deforestation. The Supreme Court has imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh per illegally felled tree, NatConnect Director B.N. Kumar noted in a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Frustrated by CIDCO’s continued disregard for environmental concerns, NatConnect plans to consult legal experts to take the matter to the National Green Tribunal. "This blatant destruction will lead to landslides during the monsoon, posing a serious threat to lives and property," the NGO stated.
Kapil Kulkarni of the Save Belapur Hills Forum criticized the authorities for their inaction, noting that tree cutting on hills has become routine. "Deforestation on Belapur Hill has already caused two landslides, yet CIDCO remains indifferent," he said.
“It is high time CIDCO realized that climate change is not science fiction,” Kulkarni added.
Environmentalists also pointed out the hypocrisy in government messaging. “On one hand, authorities urge citizens to plant and protect trees, while on the other, city planners turn a blind eye to rampant deforestation,” Kumar said. “It takes over a decade for a tree to grow, but they are wiped out in mere hours.”
Activist Jyoti Nadkarni of Kharghar Hills and Wetlands highlighted that this latest tree felling follows the destruction of mangroves and wetlands under CIDCO's watch. "It reflects a complete disregard for the environment," she said.
NatConnect reminded officials that the Forest Department has already confirmed to the Human Rights Commission that the Parsik Hills fall under CIDCO’s jurisdiction.
Kumar further emphasized the deteriorating air quality in Navi Mumbai, which remains poor for months at a time. “People are forced to inhale toxic air. At a time when we need more green cover, our city’s urban planning ignores environmental sustainability,” he said.