MNS Slams MBMC’s Environment Day Tree Plantation Drive, Calls It a ‘Photo Opportunity

The Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) carried out tree plantation drives across various locations in the city on the occasion of World Environment Day, with elected representatives and civic officials participating in the initiative.

However, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) City President Sandeep Rane criticized the programme, alleging that the plantation drives were being conducted merely for publicity and photo opportunities.

Rane stated that every year large-scale tree plantation activities are organized on Environment Day, but the planted saplings often fail to survive due to a lack of proper maintenance, watering, and conservation efforts. As a result, many of the trees planted during such drives are eventually destroyed, defeating the purpose of the initiative.

He further alleged that several public representatives and certain civic officials in Mira-Bhayandar are ignoring the day-to-day problems faced by residents and are focusing more on revenue collection than developmental work.

Rane urged the civic administration to move beyond symbolic plantation drives and ensure the long-term care and preservation of trees. He emphasized that genuine environmental conservation can only be achieved through sustained maintenance and protection of green spaces rather than one-day events.

The remarks have reignited discussions on the effectiveness of civic plantation drives and the need for accountability in ensuring the survival of planted trees across the city.