“It was decided for the first time to appoint a sub-committee of women members of PTA for handling controversial cases. These members can make a site visit and present the factual situation.”

Sunita More, one of the members of the all-women sub-committee, said, “This is a good initiative. We have more time at hand than male members of PTA. We can visit sites more frequently and do the job more sincerely and effectively.”

Medha Kulkarni, Leena Pansare and Ketki Ghate are the other members.

“The committee will also monitor the effective implementation of every decision. There have been complaints that private builders don’t follow the norms set up for the implementation of the PMC’s tree policy, like planting three trees against each one felled,” More said, stressing that the builders have to plant trees on the society premises as per the building construction norms.

As per the PMC tree policy, approval has to be sought from the PTA for cutting trees under its jurisdiction.

To ensure the minimum possible loss to the existing greenery while approving development plans, the PMC has framed rules like planting three trees for every tree axed. It has also set guidelines for planting trees while giving approval to building plans.

“The civic administration gives its remarks on each of the applications submitted to PTA, based on which the authority takes a decision. Though the PTA takes decisions case by case, it has been observed that not all follow its decisions,” deputy garden superintendent Ashok Ghorpade told Newsline.

He said in some cases, even PTA members do not accept the suggestions of the administration and a decision gets deferred. Applications have been pending for a long time.