In order to classify the trees of Mumbai into categories like ‘highly endangered’, ‘vulnerable’ and ‘healthy’ and to study the conditions on their age and condition, a survey of trees in all administrative wards should be done by the botany students. An information booklet on tree protection and health should be developed with the help of horticulture and made available to all concerned parties. New trees planted as compensation for those felled due to various reasons should be planted in Mumbai itself. Additionally, special precautions should be implemented to prevent accidents caused by falling trees. In this context, botanists, ecologists, and municipal authorities were deliberated to formulate an action plan for scientific classification, comprehensive survey and health assessment of trees in the city. Between 22 June 2026 and 6 July 2026, 830 trees fell in Mumbai due to high winds. Of these 830 trees, 480 were on private property. The number of fallen branches is more than the number of fallen trees. So far this year, 1,238 branches have fallen, of which 709 came from trees on private lands. Against this backdrop, an important meeting was held yesterday (July 16, 2026) under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide. And the participants led by Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr. Avinash Dhakne included eminent educationist and biologist Prof. Sanjay Deshmukh, environmental researcher Shrikant Angalkalikar, gardener Vaibhav Raje, Shri Abhijit Samant, and Deepak Jayant Patil; Deputy Commissioner (Engineering) Shashank Bhore; Deputy Commissioner (Special Engineering) Prashotham Malwade; Deputy Commissioner (Gardens) Ajit Kumar Ambi; Chief Engineer (Roads) Manthaya Swamy; Garden Superintendent Mr. Jitendra Pardeshi; and other officers of the Garden Department were present during the meeting, a proposal was made to conduct a comprehensive survey of trees in all the administrative wards of Mumbai with the participation of horticulturists, students and horticulturists. It was suggested that on the basis of this survey, roadside trees should be scientifically classified into ‘high risk’, ‘endangered’ and ‘healthy’ groups. Emphasis was also placed on creating a dedicated database containing information on tree age, species, health, structural condition, age, and environmental context.
Creation and distribution of an information booklet for Mumbaikars covering topics like tree protection, health, proper pruning, maintenance and precautionary measures for citizens was also discussed. Further, instructions were issued that new trees planted to compensate for trees removed during development should ideally be planted within Mumbai. Appropriate species should be selected; Sufficient space should be provided for growth and care should be taken that root development is not impeded. During the meeting, it was also suggested that municipal corporation departments responsible for roads, storm drains, sewerage and gardens should collaborate to discuss tree protection and felling. The need to adopt scientific methods for tree felling, to formulate a specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), use of modern equipment and provide regular training to concerned officials and staff was also suggested. Discussions were also held regarding framing clear guidelines for felling of trees in the private sector.
The meeting highlighted the need for in-depth research by an expert committee to study various factors including effects on tree roots, soil availability, drainage, root respiration space, effects on growth and root causes of tree fall. Emphasis was placed on scientific analysis of the root causes of tree fall rather than just removal of fallen trees.” Discussions also covered concepts such as developing ‘biodiversity zones’ at various locations in Mumbai to plant trees that support local biodiversity, selecting suitable locations for roadside plantations, and devising long-term tree management policies that are responsive to future climate change. Additionally, bamboo plantations in the city There was also a discussion on identifying suitable places for tree conservation. The experts present in the meeting expressed the view that the efforts of the municipal corporation are not enough. Citizens’ participation, public awareness and scientific approach are also important. It was clarified that after reviewing all the suggestions given during the meeting, an action plan will be prepared and the necessary measures will be implemented to protect the trees of Mumbai Mechanical support may be provided to leaning trees.

Mumbai: The deteriorating state of patient care and administrative chaos at the BMC-run KEM Hospital came to light during a midnight visit. When BMC Health Committee Chairman Harish Bhandarige paid a surprise visit to the hospital, serious lapses were revealed, including widespread delays in the emergency department, doctors’ absence from their duties and rude behavior towards patients’ relatives and public representatives. The chairman has demanded a high-level inquiry into the entire matter and immediate action against the culprits. A patient referred for treatment was brought to the emergency ward of KEM Hospital’s casualty department at 11:00 am. However, the admission process started at 10:30 am after a torturous wait of about nine and a half to ten hours. When Harish Bhandirge tried to contact the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to enquire about the case, he got a shocking response on the hospital telephone line that whether it was the Chairman of the Health Committee or any other public representative, no calls would be accepted, nor would any referral be made. Bhandirge strongly condemned this behaviour with public representatives, saying it was highly inappropriate and detrimental to the welfare of the patients.
Following the incident over the phone, the Chairman personally visited the hospital at midnight to inspect it, which revealed a shocking fact. It took just two hours for a patient to undergo the initial examination in the casualty department. The expected doctors in the examination room were absent, and the on-call Assistant Medical Officer (AMO) failed to reach for a considerable time despite being called. When questioned, ward nurses and medical officers responded evasively, saying, “We do not answer calls on personal mobile phones; we do not take calls from any public representative.” The Chairperson stressed that it is the primary responsibility of the hospital administration to provide timely information to the relatives of patients and maintain proper communication. During the inspection, a discussion was held with Dr. Harish Pathak, Dean, KEM Hospital, at 1:30 am. He highlighted the challenges faced due to the increasing number of patients and immense pressure on the available doctors. Responding to this, Harish Bhanderge clarified that although the increase in the number of patients is a reality, it does not absolve the administration of its responsibilities. On the contrary, such situations demand strong planning, adequate manpower, effective management and accountable leadership. Patient care should not be compromised under any circumstances. Harish Bhandarge took a dig at the administration, saying that the common citizens trust municipal hospitals and it is their fundamental right to get timely, dignified treatment. He demanded a high-level inquiry into the matter so that those responsible can be held accountable. Furthermore, he issued instructions to immediately re-evaluate the functioning of the emergency department, deploy additional doctors and staff as required and strengthen patient guidance, communication system and administrative accountability. Municipal hospitals act as a lifeline for the common people, and ensuring that every patient gets timely, dignified and quality treatment is the core commitment of the public health system. He warned that no negligence will be tolerated in this regard.

Mumbai, July 17: In a significant breakthrough in a transnational smuggling racket, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted an international gold smuggling syndicate and arrested six people, including three Filipinos, officials said on Friday.

The syndicate was allegedly being run with the connivance of private persons working at the airport premises, officials said.

The six arrested accused have been identified as Mumbai residents Himanshu Upadhyay, Mohid Hasan Siddiqui and Feroz Sayyed; and three nationals of the Philippines, Lakim Alimudin Nasser, Benny Lloyd Olivo and Christine Joy Andaya Pornasdoro.

According to DRI, the accused have revealed during interrogation that they were working for a smuggling syndicate that smuggled gold through transit passengers from Dubai and Bangkok to Mumbai, with the help of some people working at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in the city.

Earlier this month, the DRI, in coordination with other agencies including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), had busted an interstate wildlife trafficking syndicate across West Bengal and Maharashtra.

Several wildlife species, listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including 15 Slow Lorises, two Binturongs, 28 Star Tortoises, six Egyptian Vultures and two Shikra birds were recovered and rescued.

The Intelligence in the case was developed by DRI, and the matter is now being investigated by the CBI. The six people were subsequently arrested by the CBI.

The DRI has also foiled multiple attempts by passengers arriving from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Colombo to smuggle protected wildlife into India through international airports.

In these operations, species like Albino Red-eared Turtles, Hypo Zero Bearded Dragons, African Spurred Tortoises, Borneo Pythons, Green Iguanas, Mangrove Monitor Lizards, Argentine Black and White Tegus, Goeldi’s Marmosets, Yellow Cheeked Gibbons, Indonesian Blue Tongued Skinks, Siamang Gibbons, Woolley Monkeys, Silvery Lutungs, Yellow Belly Ball Pythons, Pastel Ball Pythons and other species were seized and rescued.

The total number of seizures in these operations has reached 440.