Overview
- An official SGNP inspection filed in the Supreme Court found only about 50% of 20,460 saplings planted by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation as compensatory afforestation have survived.
- The report documented stunted growth, damaged irrigation lines, deteriorated fencing exposing sites to grazing, and one site at Ramgad with no visible plantation despite records.
- The court deferred a fresh request to cut 1,039 additional trees for the Goregaon–Mulund Link Road, saying no further felling will be allowed until the state sets out remedial steps.
- Warning it may recall earlier felling approvals for projects including the Metro and GMLR, the bench directed the Maharashtra chief secretary to file a concrete action plan by early November.
- Authorities noted steps under consideration, including a three-year extension of MMRCL’s maintenance contract and new land allotted in September for afforestation, as experts and prior IIT-B findings flagged systemic shortcomings and urged replanting.