January
10 2006
Subject-
Gardens and Trees
3.30
pm karmayog office
Total
members present (8)
Information
needed
- Information
on exhibitions regularly held by BMC and other institutions
(Can be put on website)
- List
of NGOs working on the issue (Can be put on website)
- How
much space is available for tree plantation in Mumbai etc. (data
already available on website)
Organizations
can play role in following activities;
- Plantation
of Trees
- Suggest
proper Tree spots
- Provide
appropriate trees
- Work
as tree guards
- Monitoring
- NGOs
and green guards can work for monitoring of newly planted
areas
- Policy
framing
- A
core committee can be formed comprising members of NGO Council
and experts to frame appropriate policy
5.00
pm BMC
Total
Members present (14)
Information
received on the specific issue of making Mumbai as a green city:
Q:
How to identify Identification of areas where trees can be planted
A:
There are 3 zonal officers in Mumbai; Byculla (City), Andheri
(Western suburb)
and
Mulund (Eastern suburb)
These
officers can help in identification of places. Entire plot can
be converted to a mini forest.
More
information can be gathered from Navy, Army, Central railways
etc. because they possess huge lands
Q:
What is the adoption policy for Gardens?
A:
Garden can be adopted by NGO, corporate or a local community.
Permission for construction is only upto 10/10 sq. m (For
chawky)
Plants, shrubs, trees can be planted
Once adopted it is the responsibility of concerned institution
to take entir4e care of garden
There
are restrictions on number of boards or hoarding to be put
Preference
is given to local representatives
Q:
Concept of colony garden?
A:
Municipal gardens can be taken by a colony or residential association
for maintenance.
Corporation
will provide expenditure upto 75%
Water
Rs. 3/ Lit
Street
light expenditure by BMC
Encouraging
rain water harvesting And Bore wells
Q:
Why there are restrictions on advertising in gardens?
A:
Local person should be involved in maintaining gardens.
Additional
Information received from BMC officials on following topics:
1
Beautification of Islands
Permission
for tree plantation and beautification- Chief Engineer (Roads)
Implementation-
Assistant commissioner of wards
2
Policy for cutting dangerous or protruding or dead trees:
Application
to Assistant commissioner of wards
Horticulture
Assistant of ward
Inspection
by both
Recommendation
for the branches to be cut
Asst.
spdt. Of gardens visits site
If
he is convinced, then site is shown to one of the members of tree
authority
If
both are convinced, then spdt. Of gardens sends papers to Municipal
commissioner
Permission
is granted and papers are maintained by dy Spdt. Of gardens
Time
limit: 60 days
3.
According to new rules every plot should have 100 sq. m. space
for trees plus 100 sq. m. space for recreation ground
4.
Road development-
Now
it is mandatory to submit a plant project before road construction
5.
How to get permission for tree plantation
Important
issues raised:
Issue
of Balanced landscaping was raised. One felt that
too many trees are also not good. Every garden should not
be a forest. Open and accessible public spaces are important.
Radical
views emerged:
A
separate water pipeline for gardens
What
should be the role of NGO council? Opinion of BMC official:
Tree
authority and Tree Act plays an important role in conservation
and protection of trees. However there are no rules and regulations
for implementation of the Act. Government is working on the same
with legal department, it will be passed by both the houses.
NGO
council has to play crucial role in framing rules and regulations.
It has to work with Urban Development department.
Outcome:
Need
for policy framing was accepted by all.
At
the end of the session, a core team was formed as a first step
towards this goal.
Members
of core team:
From
those present:
Mr.
Rajendra Agarwal- (Chief Coordinator) with Vinay and Tanya
Mr.
Tushar Desai, Rose Society
Mr.
Mark Sheehy (Clean Air Island)
Mr.
Rishi Agarwal, MESN
Other
Names suggested:
Dr.
A.D. Sawant- (Resource Person)
Mr.
Nandu Nair
Mr.
Avinash Kubal
Ms.
Pirojsha Godrej
Mr.
V. A. Roda
Others
from BNHS, etc.
