Tree threat to KRCOI

A large peepal tree on the periphery of the premises of the K. R. Cama Oriental Institute (KRCOI) is likely to fall at any time causing damage to the structure and injury to people, fears Muncherji Cama, president of the Institute. But the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) has written to say that "your request to remove the tree is completely not considered” and has advised that its branches be trimmed instead, Cama informed Parsiana.

Wall of K. R. Cama Institute damaged by peepal tree

Over the past many years the tree has damaged the boundary walls several times and in 2010 the wall had to be rebuilt twice as huge cracks had developed due to pressure of the large tree leaning against it, notes Cama. Not only does the tree pose a danger to the KRCOI’s heritage structure and the senior citizens who visit the Institute, cars parked on the busy thoroughfare are also at risk. With a place of worship adjacent to the building and a primary school located inside the premises, there is much cause for concern. Most recently the water mains were damaged by the roots of the tree necessitating the laying of a makeshift line a few months ago, Cama mentioned in a letter addressed to the magazine providing the background to the problem and enclosing correspondence with the (un)concerned authorities.
In a letter written in 2012, the BMC asked the KRCOI to cut the branches, stating "if your compound wall gets damaged because of the natural growth of the tree, it is your responsibility to get it repaired immediately by taking necessary permission... before any untoward incident.” Consequently, the branches were trimmed in 2013. This was followed by a desultory exchange of correspondence and in June 2014 the KRCOI wrote again, endorsing a copy of the letter to the Fire Brigade. The latter responded saying that the matter is not under the purview of the Fire Brigade and, as the tree is live, the tree officer of BMC should be requested to visit the site, assess the risk and take appropriate action at the earliest.
Cama’s stance is clear. In a letter to the BMC in 2012, he wrote: "In the unfortunate event of the tree falling and our wall collapsing you will be held responsible if there is any damage to any property or loss of life.” However, no permission has been granted to bring down the dangerous tree so far, an exasperated Cama told the magazine.