Tree Falls in Chembur Highlight Urban Neglect and Safety Hazards

Rajkumari Sharma Tankha

Yet another tragic incident in Chembur, Mumbai, has raised serious concerns about urban tree management. A gulmohar tree fell on a woman sitting on a bench, claiming the life of the family breadwinner with college- and school-going children. This comes shortly after a coconut tree fall in Chembur, which also resulted in a fatality. During the monsoon season in Mumbai, incidents of tree falls causing death, injuries, and property damage are increasingly common.

Such incidents are not limited to Mumbai. Cities across India are witnessing frequent tree-related accidents, often caused by neglected urban greenery and poor maintenance. Contrary to some claims that the gulmohar is a “foreign” species prone to sudden falls, this tree—known as krishnachura in eastern India—has been a part of Indian literature and poetry for centuries, highlighting its long-standing presence across the subcontinent.

Urban Tree Neglect and Its Consequences

Urban trees face multiple threats due to municipal neglect, including:

• Uncontrolled tree cutting in cities
• Pavement and road construction blocking root growth
• Lack of regular tree maintenance and inspections

These issues increase the risk of trees toppling during heavy rains and strong winds.

Controversial Tree-Cutting Projects

A stark example is the Aarey Milk Colony, Mumbai, where 516 trees are slated for removal for the Metro-3 line project. In Saritpur Nagar, Goregaon, municipal authorities have proposed cutting 444 trees for an exit ramp, road diversion, and electricity pylon installations. Another 72 trees are earmarked for the casting yard and launching shaft within the same colony.

Similarly, along the Delhi-Saharanpur road in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh, many trees have been cut for a road-widening project that hasn’t even started. Sumita Singh, administrator at Ganga Amrit Hospital, Shamli, says,

“There are agricultural fields on both sides of this road with heavy pesticide use. The trees were the only buffer, and now the environment has become severely polluted.”

The Need for Sustainable Urban Forestry

These incidents highlight the urgent need for urban tree preservation, regular maintenance, and sustainable city planning. Protecting trees is not just an environmental concern—it is a public safety issue that directly impacts human lives.