India, July 2 -- The death of an 11-year old student in the aftermath of a decades old peepal tree toppling onto a school bus in Chembur on Tuesday, has rekindled concerns over tree safety and urban infrastructure in Mumbai. The incident occurred amid heavy rainfall when the tree came crashing down on a bus carrying schoolchildren, killing one child and injuring several others. Following the tragedy, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde ordered an enquiry after the reports emerged that concerns over the tree's root had been flagged months earlier.

While monsoon winds are often blamed for such incidents, environmentalists argue that the underlying causes are largely man-made.

"The biggest reason trees fall in Mumbai is unscientific construction. Digg...