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Mumbai Nature Trail Branch Collapse: Near Miss!
13 Jun
Summary
- A large tree branch fell near a Mumbai nature trail entrance.
- Around 30-35 visitors had just passed the collapse site.
- The century-old tree was recently trimmed before the incident.
A major incident was narrowly avoided on Friday morning at Mumbai's Malabar Hill Nature Trail when a substantial branch from a century-old Elephant Earpod tree collapsed. The incident occurred around 6:45 am, with the massive branch falling onto the trail near its entrance. Approximately 30-35 visitors were on the trail at the time but had fortunately moved beyond the danger zone.
Civic officials noted the tree was hollow and over 100 years old, having undergone trimming about 15 days prior. Gusty winds are suspected as a contributing factor to the branch failure. The Malabar Hill Elevated Nature Trail, Mumbai's first elevated forest walkway, was inaugurated in March 2025. The ₹26-crore project connects Kamala Nehru Park with Doongerwadi Woods.
While the trail is popular, officials admitted to a lack of comprehensive tree census data. An arborist will now assess the health of remaining trees, and the trail will remain closed until cleared and repaired. Experts emphasize the need for scientific tree management and proactive assessment to prevent future incidents, especially with the monsoon season approaching.
