NAVI MUMBAI: Residents, environmentalists, and senior citizens will join hands to form a silent human chain along Palm Beach Road in Sanpada on March 1, 2026, opposing the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s proposal to remove or relocate 440 fully grown trees for a planned underground tunnel.

The demonstration, organised by Palm Beach Greens forum with support from NatConnect Foundation and the Sanpada Senior Citizens Group, will begin at 8.30 am opposite Kesar Solitaire Building in Sector 19, Sanpada.

According to civic notices, 111 trees are marked for cutting, and 329 are marked for transplantation. Local residents argue that the decades-old trees serve as a vital green barrier along the busy arterial road. They have also raised concerns about the effectiveness of transplantation, noting that the survival rate of mature trees is often below 40 per cent.

“We are not against development,” said Shrikant Patki, convenor of Palm Beach Greens Forum. “But infrastructure must be planned responsibly. Alternatives such as an elevated road or flyover should be examined before destroying existing green cover.”

Patki and fellow residents have submitted formal objections to the civic body after notices were affixed to the trees.

Highlighting environmental concerns, residents pointed out that Sanpada experienced hazardous air quality levels on New Year’s Eve, calling it a serious public health warning. “It takes 10 to 12 years for a tree to grow to a size where it can meaningfully contribute oxygen and ecological balance. We cannot afford to lose what we already have,” activists said, urging protection of the current green cover and an end to indiscriminate felling.

NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar said the city has only about one tree per person, compared to the urban norm of three. “We need to triple our tree cover just to reach acceptable standards. Instead, we are debating cutting 440 mature trees,” he said, advocating sustainable planning that balances development with environmental responsibility.