BMC Faces Criticism Over Delay in Appointing Experts to Tree Authority Committee Amid Rising Tree Fall Incidents
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is facing criticism for failing to appoint expert members to its Tree Authority Committee, even as the city has witnessed more than 1,700 incidents of fallen trees and branches over the past eight to nine days. Three people have lost their lives in tree fall incidents during this period, prompting citizens to question the civic body’s handling of tree management.
A significant concern has now emerged that the BMC’s Tree Authority Committee, which is responsible for taking key decisions related to tree conservation and management, is still functioning without the mandatory expert members.
Following the 2026 BMC elections, members of the Tree Authority Committee were appointed. However, the appointment of tree conservation experts, which is mandatory under the rules, has still not been completed nearly six months later.
Committee Functions at Two Levels
The Tree Authority operates at two levels within the BMC. At the first level, a committee headed by the Municipal Commissioner is responsible for making policy decisions related to tree protection and conservation. The implementation of these decisions is carried out at the second level by officers and staff working under the supervision of the Garden Superintendent.
According to the rules, the Tree Authority Committee at the commissioner level must comprise 16 corporators and eight experts with experience in tree conservation.
The committee is responsible for regularly monitoring the condition of trees, conducting studies, reviewing relevant information, and recommending measures for better tree management.
Its responsibilities also include preparing the Tree Authority’s annual budget, supervising and monitoring tree-related work, addressing complaints and suggestions received from citizens, and considering recommendations to improve the functioning of the authority.
Experts Yet to Be Appointed
The BMC has several Additional Municipal Commissioners, Deputy Municipal Commissioners and other officials working under the provisions of the Tree Authority. However, despite the administrative framework, concerns have been raised over the functioning of the authority.
For several years, residents have alleged that the Tree Authority has remained largely inactive and exists only on paper.
Environmental experts say Mumbai has yet to fully understand and respond to the impact of global warming and changing weather patterns on urban trees. They argue that conventional tree maintenance practices need to be strengthened and supplemented with modern scientific methods to improve tree health and reduce the risk of tree falls.
Experts also point out that several tree species have experienced uncontrolled branch growth due to inadequate maintenance, increasing the likelihood of branches breaking during heavy rains and strong winds.
They believe the appointment of qualified experts to the Tree Authority Committee is essential to improve scientific decision-making and strengthen Mumbai’s tree management system, particularly as extreme weather events become more frequent.