Mumbai is experiencing a concerning surge in tree-fall incidents during monsoons, with recent fatalities highlighting potential links to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) extensive road concretisation project, which environmentalists and experts argue may be weakening roadside trees by restricting root growth and soil aeration, despite existing National Green Tribunal and BMC Tree Authority guidelines that mandate maintaining unpaved space around tree bases. Activists allege these norms are frequently violated, and while the BMC Commissioner has reportedly ordered the removal of concrete slabs around tree trunks, experts caution that damage to root systems from construction, utility work, and over-construction also significantly contributes to tree instability, suggesting a need for preventive tree care, stronger enforcement of environmental safeguards, and better inter-departmental coordination to address this escalating challenge exacerbated by climate change.

Mumbai is experiencing a concerning surge in tree-fall incidents during monsoons, with recent fatalities highlighting potential links to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) extensive road concretisation project, which environmentalists and experts argue may be weakening roadside trees by restricting root growth and soil aeration, despite existing National Green Tribunal and BMC Tree Authority guidelines that mandate maintaining unpaved space around tree bases. Activists allege these norms are frequently violated, and while the BMC Commissioner has reportedly ordered the removal of concrete slabs around tree trunks, experts caution that damage to root systems from construction, utility work, and over-construction also significantly contributes to tree instability, suggesting a need for preventive tree care, stronger enforcement of environmental safeguards, and better inter-departmental coordination to address this escalating challenge exacerbated by climate change.

Mumbai is experiencing a concerning surge in tree-fall incidents during monsoons, with recent fatalities highlighting potential links to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) extensive road concretisation project, which environmentalists and experts argue may be weakening roadside trees by restricting root growth and soil aeration, despite existing National Green Tribunal and BMC Tree Authority guidelines that mandate maintaining unpaved space around tree bases. Activists allege these norms are frequently violated, and while the BMC Commissioner has reportedly ordered the removal of concrete slabs around tree trunks, experts caution that damage to root systems from construction, utility work, and over-construction also significantly contributes to tree instability, suggesting a need for preventive tree care, stronger enforcement of environmental safeguards, and better inter-departmental coordination to address this escalating challenge exacerbated by climate change.

As Mumbai battles another monsoon marked by heavy rainfall, gusty winds and waterlogging, a disturbing trend has once again come into focus—falling trees claiming lives. The latest fatality in Kurla, where a 46-year-old man died after being struck by a tree branch, has reignited concerns over whether the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) ambitious road concretisation project is inadvertently weakening the city's trees.

Data from the BMC shows that tree-fall incidents have remained consistently high over the past few monsoons, even as the civic body has accelerated road concretisation across Mumbai. While extreme weather remains the immediate trigger, environmentalists, arborists and urban planners argue that the manner in which road works are being carried out may be compromising the health and stability of thousands of roadside trees.

"They are going on concretising roads around trees across the entire city, and that's where the main problem lies. The soil loosens up, roots  turn weak and then stormy winds easily manage to uproot even age-old trees," says Tina Sachdev, a resident of Prabhadevi's Kashinath Dhuru road, where seven big trees fell in a single day on Sunday.

The BMC has undertaken one of its largest-ever infrastructure projects to replace asphalt roads with concrete ones. While concrete roads promise longer life and reduced potholes, critics say the project has often ignored the needs of mature trees.

Experts point out that many roadside trees are left with only a tiny opening around their trunks after road concretisation. This restricts the movement of air and water into the soil and prevents roots from expanding naturally.

According to environmentalists, roots require loose, oxygen-rich soil to anchor trees firmly. When large portions of the root zone are sealed with concrete, the soil becomes compacted, reducing water infiltration and oxygen availability. Over time, roots weaken, making trees more susceptible to uprooting during heavy rains and strong winds.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had in 2019 directed that adequate unpaved space be maintained around trees to allow water percolation and root growth. The BMC's own Tree Authority guidelines also prescribe maintaining sufficient open soil around tree bases during infrastructure works.

However, activists allege these norms are frequently violated.

"The biggest issue is non-compliance with NGT norms and Tree Authority guidelines," says Ketan S, a citizen activist from Matunga.

The issue resurfaced after the death of an 11-year-old boy in Chembur in June, following which BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide reportedly directed officials to remove concrete slabs surrounding tree bases across the city.

Yet experts caution that simply removing concrete from around the trunk may not solve the problem.

Much of the damage, they say, occurs beneath the surface, where roots may have already been cut during excavation for utilities, stormwater drains, pipelines, cables or road construction.

Heavy rainfall softens the soil, while strong winds place enormous pressure on tree canopies. Healthy trees usually withstand these forces because of strong, widespread root systems. But when roots have been damaged, suffocated or constrained, the likelihood of uprooting increases dramatically.

Several experts believe the monsoon merely exposes structural weaknesses that have developed over months or years.

Experts say road concretisation is only one of several reasons why tree-fall incidents increase during the monsoon. Other contributing factors include root cutting during utility works like excavation for water pipelines, sewer lines, gas pipelines, electricity cables and telecom infrastructure. Also, excessive or unscientific pruning creates uneven weight distribution, making trees unstable in high winds. Older trees with hollow trunks or weakened root systems require periodic health assessments.

Over-construction of buildings closer to trees, leading to basement excavation can destabilise root systems. Waterlogged soil loses its grip on roots, especially when drainage is inadequate.

Urban ecologists say Mumbai requires a shift from reactive tree management to preventive care. This includes mandatory root-zone protection during construction, scientific pruning practices, regular tree health assessments, improved coordination between civic departments and stricter enforcement of environmental safeguards during infrastructure projects.

As climate change brings more intense rainfall events, balancing infrastructure development with urban ecology may become one of Mumbai's biggest governance challenges.

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