21-04-2025
10K penalty on restaurant for installing electric lights on tree, greens welcome action
Navi Mumbai:
Green activists
have welcomed the latest stringent action taken by
Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation
of slapping a penalty of Rs 10,000 on the owner of a Belapur-based bar and restaurant for installing electric lights on a tree near his property. The action was taken by the deputy municipal commissioner of zone-1 under the guidance of the NMMC Commissioner Kailas Shinde.
"It is illegal to install wirings and
electric lights on trees
under the
Maharashtra Preservation of Trees Act
. Hence, we have started taking action against any person or group which damages trees by installing lights on them," said a civic official.
A Mumbai-based tree lover and activist remarked, "It is good that NMMC has started slapping fines on those who misuse trees by installing lights on them. The BMC should also actively impose such penalties. At Powai's Rambaug Lane, a high voltage electric lamp was fixed on a tree, opposite Mhada building number 11 (shops)."
The BMC S-ward officials have responded that their gardens department team is looking into the installation of the electric light on the Powai-based tree.
