Thane group seeks ban on decorative lights wrapped around trees

Nisargasatta has asked Maharashtra and Thane authorities to permanently prohibit decorative electrical lights being wrapped around living trees during festivals.

The Thane-based environmental organisation wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Thane municipal commissioner, police commissioner and district collector. It sought action against those installing the lights, monitoring of residential and commercial areas during festivals, and public-awareness campaigns on alternatives.

Dr Prashant Sinkar, a Thane-based environmental researcher and activist, said tightly wound cables, nails driven into trunks, plastic wrapping and heat from dense strings of lights can damage trees. Nisargasatta also said prolonged artificial lighting and activity around trees can disturb urban birds, squirrels, butterflies and micro-organisms that use them.

Sinkar said trees support ecological balance and provide shelter for urban species.

Nisargasatta has asked civic and police authorities to penalise violations and encourage celebrations that do not use living trees as lighting structures.