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By:

Minal Sancheti

2 May 2026 at 12:26:53 pm

BMC under fire over tree cutting plan

Mumbai: On May 29, the BMC decided to cut 1900 trees for Versova-Bhayandar Link Road. The decision saw a massive uproar by the opposition as well as the environmentalists concerned about the city’s rising temperature and unpredictable climate. The BMC has claimed that Mumbai’s civilisation is growing rapidly, and to keep up the pace, the city needs more roadways. This is important as current infrastructure is lacking capacity to handle the traffic. “To create this infrastructure, we will have...

BMC under fire over tree cutting plan

Mumbai: On May 29, the BMC decided to cut 1900 trees for Versova-Bhayandar Link Road. The decision saw a massive uproar by the opposition as well as the environmentalists concerned about the city’s rising temperature and unpredictable climate. The BMC has claimed that Mumbai’s civilisation is growing rapidly, and to keep up the pace, the city needs more roadways. This is important as current infrastructure is lacking capacity to handle the traffic. “To create this infrastructure, we will have to cut 1900 trees. We will replant 700 trees, and 1200 trees will be cut,” said Ganesh Khankar, the BJP group leader in the BMC. “We will plant 3000 plants in Panvel. We are also planning to implement the rule to plant at least one tree in the 45000 housing societies of Mumbai.” Bansari Kothari, an environmentalist, claimed that this infrastructure may not be the best plan for the city. “The trees that will be compensated will be in Panvel. But the trees will be cut between Versova and Bhayandar. So the citizens of Versova and Bhayandar will lose their tree cover. Thus, it does not give proper justification. For the development of the coastal road that benefits only two to three percent of the population, we cannot cut trees that benefit 100 percent of the population,” she said. The environmentalists have claimed that these trees are precious and invaluable. The age of some of these trees is 35 and 60 years and more. The authorities have promised to plant 3000 trees in Panvel, but these are just small saplings and will take at least 25 to 30 years to grow and become a tree. Former mayor and opposition leader Kishori Pednekar said development is important but not at the cost of the environment. “Mumbai will become a desert. How will they stop that? Development is important but not by destroying nature. Development is necessary. We need metros and monorails but not at the cost of the environment,” she said. Environmentalist Stalin D, president of an NGO Vanashakti, warned that the consequence of cutting trees at this rate can create many problems for the citizens of Mumbai. “India will be badly affected by the climate crisis; despite that, if we don’t take action, then it will be too late. They are planning to make the city like Dubai. The same heat in the afternoon where nobody can get out of the house. Everything is barren. People dying for water.”

Gun Violence in America

Updated: Jan 2, 2025

Gun Violence in America

On December 16, 2024, tragedy struck Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, where a 15-year-old student, Natalie Rupnow, fatally shot a fellow student and a teacher before taking her own life. Six others were injured, with two in critical condition. This devastating event is a grim reminder of the United States' ongoing struggle with gun violence, particularly in schools.


A Long History of Gun Ownership in America

The issue of gun violence in the United States cannot be discussed without acknowledging its deep-rooted history of gun ownership. The right to bear arms is enshrined in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1791, which states: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”


Initially, this amendment was intended to empower citizens to form militias for self-defense during a time when standing armies were distrusted. Over the centuries, however, the interpretation of the Second Amendment has evolved. Today, it is often cited as a justification for individual gun ownership, a concept reinforced by landmark court cases such as District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), which affirmed an individual's right to own firearms for self-defense.


Gun culture is deeply ingrained in American society, with nearly 400 million firearms in civilian hands—more guns than people. This level of accessibility, coupled with a powerful gun lobby led by organizations like the National Rifle Association (NRA), has made significant legislative reform difficult.


Gun Violence in Numbers

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), firearms cause approximately 40,000 deaths annually in the United States—equivalent to 109 deaths per day. This figure includes homicides, suicides, and accidental shootings. Among children and teenagers, firearms are now the leading cause of death, surpassing motor vehicle accidents.


School shootings are a particularly horrifying aspect of gun violence in America. Since 1990, there have been over 800 incidents in K-12 schools, resulting in more than 500 deaths and over 1,000 injuries. High-profile tragedies such as the Columbine High School massacre (1999), the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting (2012), and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School attack (2018) have shocked the nation and the world, yet meaningful reforms remain elusive.


A Global Comparison

The United States stands out among developed nations for its high rate of gun violence. In countries like Australia, Canada, and much of Europe, strict gun control measures have significantly reduced firearm-related deaths. For example: By contrast, the firearm-related death rate in the United States is 12.2 per 100,000 people, significantly higher than other developed nations. The prevalence of guns and the lack of uniform gun control laws contribute to this disparity.


Challenges in Addressing Gun Violence

Efforts to reduce gun violence in the U.S. have faced significant obstacles. One of the most notable is the prohibition of federal funding for gun violence research. In 1996, Congress passed the Dickey Amendment, effectively barring the CDC from studying gun violence as a public health issue. Although the funding ban was partially lifted in 2019, its legacy has left the country with a limited understanding of the causes and solutions to gun violence.


Advocates have long called for measures such as:

• Universal Background Checks: Closing loopholes in gun sales to ensure that all firearm purchases are subject to background checks.

• Safe Storage Laws: Requiring gun owners to store firearms securely to prevent unauthorized access.

• Bans on Certain Firearms: Prohibiting the sale of assault-style weapons, which are often used in mass shootings.


The Debate Over Gun Rights and Reform

The debate over gun control in the United States often pits the rights of gun owners against the need for public safety. Opponents of stricter gun laws argue that restrictions infringe on constitutional rights and fail to address the root causes of violence, such as mental health issues. Proponents, however, point to the success of gun control measures in other countries and the overwhelming public support for policies like background checks.


A Way Forward

Despite the challenges, there is growing momentum for change. Grassroots organizations, survivors of gun violence, and some lawmakers are advocating for comprehensive reforms. The Madison school shooting serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of these efforts. As the nation grapples with its gun violence epidemic, it must look to both its history and the experiences of other countries to find a path toward a safer future.


(The author is a resident of US. Views personal.)

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