Bombay HC issues notice to ULBs regarding artificial lights on trees

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MUMBAI, Maharashtra: The Bombay High Court has issued notice to the Maharashtra Government and civic bodies, including Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Thane Municipal Corporation, and Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation, regarding the ill effects of wrapping trees with decorative lights. The court was hearing a PIL raising concern about the harmful effects of artificial lights on trees and nocturnal animals.

The petition filed by a social activist Rohit Manohar read, “Presence of such cables, wires, lighting et cetera are detrimental to the health and growth of the trees upon which the lights, wires, cables are wrapped and draped across. […] While such decorations are supposed to be temporary, trees in Mumbai’s Malabar Hills, Breach Candy, Walkeshwar, and Andheri areas have been draped with lights for several months. Similarly, such lighting can be seen in various areas of Thane and Mira Bhayander.”

To substantiate his claims, the petitioner also referred to a research paper published by the Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences, Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, CG, Bilaspur, India, on ‘Effects of street light pollution on the photosynthetic efficiency of different plants’.

The petitioner also mentioned a circular issued by the Department of Forest and Welfare of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi in line with an order of the National Green Tribunal from April 2013 seeking the steps taken by the Delhi Government to assess the damage on the trunks and roots of trees caused by signboards, advertisement, electric wires, high tension cables and other damages.

The court has asked the state government, tree authorities and the municipal corporation to respond within four weeks.