Thane, Jul 18 (PTI) A day after reckless cutting of tree branches on the premises of a residential society in Thane city led to the death of more than 45 birds, the forest department on Friday registered a case against four persons, including three office-bearers, officials said.
The name of the contractor who was given the task of trimming the trees was also included in the FIR, they said.
The incident occurred at a housing society in Kasarvadavali area on Thursday.
According to the officials, the society had obtained permission from the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) to prune trees within its premises.
However, thoughtless axing of tree branches led to the death of more than 45 birds and left at least 28 birds injured. The death of so many birds, including cattle egrets and egrets, left environmentalists and common citizens aghast.
The forest department has filed an offence against four individuals, including three office bearers of the housing society and the private contractor responsible for the pruning activity, an official said.
Talking to PTI, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Dinesh Desle said, “After conducting a thorough enquiry and recording statements of concerned individuals, we have registered an FIR against four persons.” The office-bearers of the society – Chintamani Chavan, Suresh Vishal and Satishchandra Tanksale – and contractor Arfat Varekar are the four accused, he said.
They were booked under sections of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, Desle added.
“The role of the forest department is limited to investigating and taking action on wildlife violation, specifically the death and injury of protected birds. The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) is independently investigating the unauthorized cutting of tree branches, and it is for them to take necessary action on that front,” he said.
Nobody has been arrested in this connection so far, he said.
Following the incident, activists demanded stricter controls and mandatory ecological assessment before any tree pruning or trimming is allowed. PTI COR NP
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