NMMC To Audit Navi Mumbai Trees After 268 Collapses This Monsoon
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has announced plans to conduct a scientific tree health audit and implement preventive measures across Navi Mumbai, following the collapse of 268 trees during the recent monsoon season. The worst-hit areas during the heavy rains and strong winds included Vashi, Nerul, and Sanpada, where fallen trees blocked roads, disrupted traffic, and damaged vehicles and public utilities.
Municipal Commissioner Kailas Shinde stated that the new measures will strengthen scientific tree management, reduce tree-fall incidents, and help conserve the city's green cover for the long term. Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Garden) Smita Kale announced that Shinde will soon convene a meeting with environmentalists, botanists, and arboriculturalists to prepare a framework for the audit before appointing a specialised agency to carry out the assessment.
The proposed audit will examine the structural stability of trees, root conditions, internal decay, fungal infections, pruning requirements, and the likelihood of collapse. The NMMC is also considering creating a digital database of trees to monitor their condition and maintenance history, studying a technology-based system used by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
Alongside the audit, the Tree Authority will roll out the "Green Path" initiative to remove concrete and paver blocks around tree bases, which will improve soil aeration and rainwater percolation. The initiative also includes laying mulch around exposed roots, replacing hazardous trees with native species, and taking stricter action against developers and housing societies that violate tree protection norms by concretising areas around roots.
According to the NMMC, the city received about 1,377 mm of rainfall in just over a week this monsoon, compared to around 830 mm during the corresponding period last year. This combination of unusually heavy rain and strong winds caused the high number of tree falls. In one incident in Nerul Sector 10, a large tree crashed onto a parked autorickshaw, trapping two occupants who were later rescued by fire brigade personnel.
Prior to this, the garden department had pruned 7,996 trees, removed 104 dry and dangerous trees, and spent nearly Rs 83 lakh on pruning and maintenance. Since July 3, the NMMC's disaster management department has responded to more than 1,461 complaints regarding fallen trees and branches to clear roads and restore normal movement.
