Navi Mumbai: Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has directed Maharashtra Forest Department to investigate the suspected poisoning of more than 25 mature trees at Kille Gaothan in CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, and submit an action-taken report.The direction followed a complaint by environmental groups to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through PMO’s public grievance portal. Ministry’s Forest Protection Division asked the department to examine the matter under applicable laws, rules and regulations and send its report to the complainant and ministry at the earliest.The communication was addressed to Maharashtra’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, with a copy to Sanjay Kumar Chauhan, Assistant Inspector General of Forests in the division.Activists alleged that holes had been drilled into the trees, their bark cut and chemicals injected. They reported liquid oozing from some trunks and a foul chemical smell. Photographs submitted with the complaint showed damage, though its cause remains unestablished.Local activist Paramdeep Grewal, who is leading efforts to revive the trees, said repeated complaints and a signature campaign had failed to draw an effective response from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and CIDCO.NatConnect director B N Kumar hoped the intervention would prompt swift action and accountability. In an earlier NatConnect complaint over tree felling in Powai, Mumbai, central intervention led local forest officials to visit the site and stop the felling.Parsik Greens convener Vishnu Joshi urged CIDCO and NMMC to protect mature trees amid deteriorating air quality. Kumar also highlighted the 3-30-300 urban greening rule: three trees visible from every home, 30% neighbourhood tree-canopy cover and quality green space within 300 metres.The affected bhokar, badam, palm, tamarind and beri trees stand behind NRI Coastal Police Station, near NMMC headquarters. Residents and activists, guided by experts, have treated damaged portions and improved soil around the trees.
