Advocate Ronita Bhattacharya appeared for Joshi (petitioner before Bombay High Court) today and raised concern over the unregulated practice of wrapping or draping high tension cables, wires, lighting and sign posts over trees in cities.
The counsel pointed out that such practices were detrimental to the health and growth of trees and other organisms living in trees.
It was also noted that the provisions of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act states that burning or damaging a tree in any way amounted to “felling of a tree”, which was restricted under the Act, subject to permission from the concerned civic authorities.
The petitioner has argued that the civic authorities have failed in their duties to protect the trees.
“The civic authorities are in clear breach of the duties vested in them to ensure protection and preservation of trees and ensuring the trees within the urban areas in their jurisdiction are properly maintained and permitted to grow healthily,” the petitioner said.
Source: Barandbench
