Sanatan Prabhat > Post Type > News > National News > Silent killing of trees by pouring concrete up to their bases is shocking

Silent killing of trees by pouring concrete up to their bases is shocking

  • Press Conference by ‘Surajya Abhiyan’ on the occasion of Earth Day

  • 17,000 planted trees found missing

  • Administration accused of killing trees in the name of conservation

(“Concrete” refers to a mixture of cement, sand, and gravel.)

Mumbai – The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai has launched a “Vriksha Sanjeevani” campaign from 1st April, aimed at removing concrete around trees. However, the Surajya Abhiyan has questioned the very intent of this initiative. Mr Abhishek Murukate, Maharashtra State Coordinator of Surajya Abhiyan, revealed that under the guise of road development and beautification, trees are effectively being choked by pouring concrete right up to their bases.

A press conference on this issue was held at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh on 22 April on the occasion of Earth Day. Present at the event were Dr Uday Dhuri, spokesperson of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, along with advocates Prathamesh Gaikwad and Ganesh Koli.

Demand for criminal action against contractors violating rules of National Green Tribunal

Murukate questioned whether pouring concrete up to the base of trees while constructing roads—violating orders of the National Green Tribunal—is not itself a major wrongdoing. Instead of merely running campaigns to remove concrete, he demanded that criminal cases be filed against those responsible under Section 26 of the NGT Act, 2010.

Press Statement by Surajya Abhiyan

Missing records of thousands of trees is blatant misuse of public funds

The Pune Municipal Corporation has admitted that it has no official data on the current status of 17,533 trees planted over the past two years. Whether it is tree conservation or plantation, the administration has made a mockery of environmental responsibility.

Murukate also stated that the inability to account for 17,000 trees amounts to misuse of crores of rupees of public money.

From the left, Dr. Uday Dhuri, spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, Mr. Abhishek Murukate, state coordinator of ‘Surajya Abhiyan’, Advocate Prathamesh Gaikwad, and Advocate Ganesh Koli

Not just campaigns – take action !

Concrete around trees has disrupted groundwater recharge processes. The administration is entirely responsible for rising urban temperatures. As per orders of the National Green Tribunal, it is mandatory for local bodies to leave at least 1 meter of open soil around trees in urban areas. Nailing advertisements or boards onto trees, thereby damaging them, is illegal. Running a month-long campaign as an “event” does not absolve the administration of responsibility. Murukate also questioned why rules are not followed during the actual construction of roads and footpaths. Damaging trees is a punishable offence under the Maharashtra Tree Protection and Preservation Act 1975. He asked why the names of responsible contractors and officials are not made public and why action is not taken against them.

Warning of contempt petition if no action is taken

To address this serious issue, the Maharashtra government should adopt a system similar to Delhi. Immediate “de-concretisation” drives should be implemented across all cities, but as a continuous process—not a temporary one. Trees currently suffocating due to concrete must be freed, and future road and footpath tenders should include a condition that contractors will not be paid unless a 1-meter open space is left around trees. A third-party audit of tree plantations over the past three years should be conducted, and the actual data should be made public. Murukate warned that if no concrete action is taken within the next 7 working days, Surajya Abhiyan will file a contempt petition before the National Green Tribunal.

How Surajya Abhiyan conducted its study

Mr. Abhishek Murukate, Coordinator, Surajya Campaign

Surajya Abhiyan conducted on-ground inspections of roadside trees across cities including Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nashik, Solapur, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur, and Jalgaon, as well as in regions of Karnataka such as Hubli and Karwar. On 22 April, press conferences were held in multiple cities including Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and Solapur to highlight the alarming situation of trees being suffocated by concrete.

Along with this, memorandums were submitted to the Mayor of Mumbai, the Municipal Commissioner, the Chief Minister, and the Environment Minister, as well as to District Collectors, Commissioners/Chief Officers, and Tree Officers in Nashik, Nagpur, and Jalgaon, demanding immediate action.

Contact details of Surajya Abhiyan

Surajya Abhiyan

Postal Address: Mr Abhishek Murukate, Sukhthankar Retreat, Flat No. AG-4, Chittar Bhat, Nageshi, Ponda, Goa – 403401

Contact: 9867558384

Email: [email protected]

X (Twitter): @surajyaabhiyan

 

Latest Articles