The Times of India              19.12.2013

Our officials were just trimming branches: Thane Municipal Corporation

THANE: After TOI had carried a report about the rampant tree hacking at Upvan Lake in its December 18 issue, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) said that their officials were just trimming the branches. The civic body has, however, issued orders to stop trimming trees at the site immediately.

The civic body had reportedly hacked some trees and a huge trunk was also chopped off at the site for an art festival to be held in January.

Dinesh G Gawde, TMC garden inspector, said that the civic officials were involved only in pruning trees and denied having chopped them. He claimed that the logs found at the spot belonged to a tree that was already uprooted during the rains.

"Only trees with big branches were trimmed and one of them was already uprooted during the heavy rains. As it was located on a slope, we had to trim it. I personally visited the spot on Wednesday and have ordered to stop any further pruning work," Gawde told TOI.

He further justified the act saying that the civic body was planning to create a lawn at the spot for which some branches had to be cut.

The TMC also made it clear that they won't be supporting the upcoming art festival with any financial aid.