Tree Lights Removed, BMC Tells High Court

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has informed the Bombay High Court that it has successfully removed all lights that were installed on trees within its jurisdiction.

This development comes as a response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed seeking the removal of high-tension cables, wires, lighting, and signposts affixed to trees in Mumbai, Thane, and Mira Bhayander. The division bench, led by Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, was apprised by Advocate Urja Dhond, representing the BMC, that a circular had been issued, leading to the removal of all such installations. Advocate Dhond further committed to filing an affidavit to substantiate the compliance.

The court has also directed other municipal corporations within the state to file their respective affidavits within four weeks, following the concern raised by Advocate Ronita Bhattacharya, representing the petitioner. Bhattacharya argued that the issue might extend beyond the three municipal corporations currently under scrutiny, thereby necessitating a broader inquiry. The PIL underscores the adverse impact of such lighting and wiring on urban trees and the broader ecosystem. It highlights that the heat generated by high-wattage lights is not only detrimental to the health of trees but also disrupts the natural activities of birds, insects, and other wildlife.

The petition argues that these practices violate Section 8 of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, and calls for heightened public awareness to curb such harmful practices. According to the petition, the presence of these lights—ranging from decorative fairy lights to floodlights—on trees has been observed to extend beyond temporary festive periods, becoming a more permanent fixture in certain areas. This permanency exacerbates the ecological damage, particularly by interfering with the nesting and roosting activities of birds and the behaviour of insects and mammals that depend on these trees.

The petition suggests that the health of trees, compromised by these lights, has a cascading effect on the local environment, potentially leading to an imbalance in the ecosystem. This imbalance can result in increased rodent populations and other pests, causing significant nuisance to residents in affected areas. This case serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required in urban planning, where the aesthetic appeal of lighting must not come at the cost of environmental and ecological health. The Bombay High Court’s ongoing deliberations on this matter could set a precedent for the treatment of urban greenery across the state, reinforcing the importance of protecting trees and the ecosystems they support in rapidly urbanising environments.