24 trees axed for developing playground in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai

Navi Mumbai: For developing a playground in Kharghar Sector 34 B, a total of 24 trees were axed. An educational organisation has been permitted to develop and use the open space plot, like other such institutions in the city, by the Cidco. However, locals are of the opinion that the playground could have been developed without axing the trees.

The educational institution installed tin-sheet barricades since the last two years around the playground plot. The institution obtained permission from the tree authority of the Panvel City Municipal Corporation to chop the 24 trees, which include four java plants (jambhul), 14 Manila tamarind, a mango tree, among others.

The institution has to plant 221 saplings, each having a height of 6 ft, and has to take care of them for seven years as per the conditions imposed by the Panvel civic body while allowing the tree-cutting permission. The civic body has kept a refundable security deposit of around Rs 2.40 lakh from the institute towards compliance of the same.

A local resident, Dr Swapnil Pawar, said, “The playground would have been developed without axing the trees. The trees were axed after the Cidco handed over the reserved plot to the institute for use.”

The Cidco reserved the plot for a playground. Later, it was given to the private educational institution for use. Normally, educational institutions use the adjoining playgrounds during the class hours or in exceptional cases for other purposes. Residents staying nearby are allowed to use the playground after that.