The residents of Marine Drive have crossed swords with a society over tree cutting in the open space premises that is looked after by the society. While the society said that it has all permissions in place, the residents accused the society of going overboard with it.
Residents of E, F and G Road complained of trees being cut entirely at Shreeniketan Garden on June 27. "They have got permissions but they have gone beyond the permission they were given. They have cut trees entirely," said Kaizad Todywala, resident of F Road.
Some residents of the area have been at loggerheads with the society that looks after the garden. They had earlier complained to collector office that they are not allowed inside. "We have complained to both the BMC and police. We are waiting to see the action they have taken," said Nikhil Banker, another resident of the area who also filed a complaint with the police.
"The residents have been unnecessarily complaining against us. We have all permissions in place. In fact we had asked the BMC last year to number all the trees. The responsibility of a tree inside a private property is the owners responsibility. Since we have been given the open space on long lease by collector office, we are responsible to prune trees. If the branch is to fall on someone, will we not be held accountable? We have taken all permission and not exceeded from what we were permitted to do," said Shreeprakash Somani, secretary of Srinivas Co-operative Housing Society Ltd, which has been leased the plot.
Harshad Kale, deputy minicipal commissioner of zone 1, under whose jurisdiction the matter falls said that he will have to check the records when asked if the society had gone beyond the permission they were given. "I do not have information on it. I will have to check and get back," said Kale.
