Bandra group finds termites in 49 trees, BMC promises a fix

MUMBAI: Citizen power has come to the rescue of termite-infested trees along Mount Mary Road in Bandra (W).
Following the recent spate of tree-fall incidents in the city, members of the Bandra (W) residents Advanced Locality Management (ALM) 33-known as Mount Mary Kane Road ALM-decided to undertake a survey of the green cover in their area. The findings shocked them: Of the 189 trees in the area, 49 were infested by termites.They then complained to the assistant municipal commissioner of H-ward ward, Sharad Ughade, who gave an assurance to treat all the trees as well as the soil to curb the infestation.
"Following the complaint, the trees were surveyed and eight to 10 trees were found to be infested with termites. Around 25-30 others are showing early signs of termite infestation," said Ughade. "All these trees will be treated at the ward level with termicide chemical. Soil treatment will also be done to prevent further growth of termites."
Around five months ago, Salima Kazani, a member of the ALM, noticed the branch of a tree outside her building creaking and at the brink of collapse. She brought the matter to the notice of the ALM chairperson, Maria D'Souza, who immediately informed the BMC. The branch was hacked by civic workers. Later, the ALM members realized that a few other trees in the area were also infested by termites and alerted the BMC.
D'Souza claimed that when they saw no action on the ground, they roped in a private agency to survey the trees in the area. "The agency found that 49 of the 189 trees had termites," said D'Souza. "The agency said it would treat the 49 trees for around Rs 59,000, and all 189 trees for Rs 2.2 lakh." The ALM members decided that to treat all the trees, but as the cost was steep, they approached the BMC urging it to inspect the trees.
Kazani said their biggest fear was the weak, termite-infested trees would collapse when strong winds blow. "We need BMC to act fast as the trees are showing signs of termite infestation," she said. Local corporator Asif Zakeria, along with H-West garden department staff, inspected the trees on Tuesday. Zakeria, who raised the issue in the civic standing committee meeting on Monday, said it is essential that quick action is taken to avoid any untoward incidents.