Over 500 trees have been illegally chopped on a private plot being developed by Raheja Constructions in Goregaon, but the police are dawdling over taking action, a local resident has alleged. According to Bhaskar Parab, the BMC sat on his complaint for over a month before forwarding it to the cops, who are yet to register an FIR.

An official from the developer’s side has rubbished the charges and said they have all the permission from the forest department. Under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation & Protection of Trees Act, those indulging in unauthorised tree cutting can be penalised as well as imprisoned. On July 4, Parab wrote to the BMC about the alleged illegal felling of trees near Kotak IT Park. In his letter, Parab said the property belongs to a private trust and is being developed by Raheja.