Sena corporator claims BARC poisoning trees

The BMC is probing the destruction of 12 trees in suburban Chembur following allegations that they may have been poisoned by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

The BMC will examine the roots of the dead trees to find out the cause of death. About a dozen trees were cut down last month after withered leaves were seen outside the BARC campus in Anushakti Nagar.

The investigation was ordered by the Municipal Commissioner after Shiv Sena corporator from Chembur, Rahul Shewale, alleged that BARC might be destroying the trees.

"These trees are very old and were in very good condition for many years. Suddenly, I noticed that some of them were being cut and all of them seem to have died. We can't rule out the possibility of someone injecting the trees with poisonous substance to get rid of them. There is some construction work at the outer gate at the BARC centre and I suspect the centre might be poisoning the trees to make way for a larger gate and additional construction," said Shewale, also the Standing Committee chairman.

According to civic officials from the Chembur (M-East) department, some trees were cut near the BARC vicinity as they had died and posed a threat to passers-by. "Our experts will go to the site and conduct a test to determine whether the trees were poisoned. The Tree Authority will also be consulted," said Additional Municipal Commissioner Aseem Gupta. The report will be out by the weekend. A BARC spokesperson refused to comment.

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