Advertisements, banners or posters displayed in the city’s trees must be removed as soon as possible. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has issued a policy that requires strict action against those who use trees for any kind of advertisement, announcement or decoration.

The civic body has given a seven-day deadline to remove all types of lighting fixtures and banners on trees. “Trees cannot be used for advertisements or any other purpose like decorative lighting or lighting fixtures. There are legal provisions to take action against those who violate these norms,” ​​an official said.

Every year, the NMMC conducts tree plantation drives and the green cover of the city is estimated to be around Rs 150 crore. The administration found that the trees planted along various roads are used for hanging posters and at many places, decorative lights are also used. In a circular issued on August 13, the NMMC said it would take legal action under the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act 1995. “Trees are living beings and should not be harmed. Acts like drilling nails into the bark or using branches to hang banners constitute deliberate damage which is prohibited by law and may attract strict action. Within the next seven days, all such tree mutilations must be removed. Those who fail to do so will be punished under the Defacement Act,” the official said.

After the seven-day period, the Garden Department will conduct an inquiry. Based on the inquiry, a decision will be taken to initiate legal action against those who continue to violate the policy. “There are Supreme Court guidelines in this regard that any form of external addition or alteration to trees is strictly prohibited. Not only the trees are affected, other creatures like birds are also disturbed. There have been repeated complaints about large hoardings being put up on trees and all such actions must be stopped with immediate effect,” the official said.