On the 4th of October, the Mumbai Metro Rail started cutting down trees in Aarey Colony, Mumbai.
The Mumbai Metro Rail is felling the trees in Aarey Colony to build a car shed for the Mumbai Metro. The step of the Metro department came after the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) updated the Bombay High Court’s orders on its official website.
On the 4th of October, the Bombay High Court (HC) cancelled the 4 petitions challenging the cutting of trees in Aarey Colony.
Approximately 20 activists protesting outside the Colony were detained as they were trying to stop the authorities from cutting the trees. The Mumbai Police registered a case against them under Section 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging duty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC.) The detained activists will be presented before a Bombay court on the 5th of October.
The protestors alleged the authorities of cutting down the trees illegally during late hours. However, the Metro authorities denied the allegations and said as per the rules of the MCGM, trees can be cut within 15 days after updating the court’s orders on the MCGM’s official website.
An activist protesting the decision of felling the trees said, “…the permission for the tree cutting of Aarey Metro 3 car shed depot was uploaded on the MCGM website on 4th October 2019 evening and tree cutting began the same night. The courts are shut for the weekend and then for Dussehra. We need time to challenge this in court, which we will not have and by the time courts reopen, the forest will be gone.”
Another protestor said, “What is the hurry that they are cutting down trees in the middle of the night?”
This is not the first time the public and activists challenged the Government’s plan to cut down trees in Aarey Colony, which has more than 5 lakh trees. Previously, many activists filed a petition against the same, but it was in vain. The High Court refused to hear the matter, stating the case is pending with the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, due to which, the HC cannot intervene.
Aaditya Thackeray, a member of the Shiv Sena, also supported the activists and criticised the Government. He said, “The vigour with which the Mumbai Metro is slyly and swiftly cutting down an ecosystem in Aarey is shameful and disgusting. How about posting these officials in PoK, giving them charge to destroy terror camps rather than trees?”
A project that should be executed with pride, the Metro 3, @MumbaiMetro3 has to do it in the cover of the night, with shame, slyness and heavy cop cover.
The project supposed to get Mumbai clean air, is hacking down a forest with a leopard, rusty ontinues In Aarey Colony, Bulldozers Start Cutting Down Treesspotted cat and more— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) October 4, 2019
@MumbaiMetro3 Shame !!
Entry into Aarey has been blocked even for Best buses and even residents,if this Shameful act is giving you so much fear why the hell are you even performing it.#SaveAarey@AUThackeray— Ankit Prabhu (@prabhu_ankit) October 4, 2019
The felling of trees in Aarey Colony became a big matter in Mumbai as many politicians, actors and celebrities extended their support and protested against the move.
Twitter is flooded with posts asking the trees in Aarey Colony be saved, with #AareyForest.
While the entire country and the world have been protesting to safeguard the future of the planet, it’s tragic to what the BJP-Shiv Sena govt have carried out in the dark of the night.
These are the lungs of the city.
This isn’t development.#SaveAarey #AareyForest https://t.co/jGOTmO0CB8— Youth Congress (@IYC) October 5, 2019
Mumbai will never forgive BJP-Shiv Sena for carrying out the destruction of its green lung. Our future generations will pay the price for this callous & reckless act by the @Dev_Fadnavis govt! This is greed disguised as development!#AareyForesthttps://t.co/sXupGJ2EjV
— Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) October 5, 2019
Dear Fellow Indians
This is not just about 2000 odd trees in #AareyForest in Mumbai. This is about you wherever you are.
This is the BJP. They destroyed trees in the middle of the night and have arrested protesters.
Did you vote for bullies and fear in your lives? Think!!
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) October 5, 2019
This is right now at #aareyforest. Citizens gather at this ungodly hour to protest against the illegal felling of trees. Already 200 trees have been cut. Join in if you can. #SaveAareySaveMumbai #saveaareyforest pic.twitter.com/QRK8th3cha
— a_wandering_paradox (@Megha2006) October 4, 2019
Celebrities would rather save 2,200 trees than allow a transport system to be built that can save 2,700 lives every year.
Not to mention the fact that they are fine with shooting in Film City built over 490 acres deep inside Aarey Colony. #AareyForesthttps://t.co/d1nmla9Dee
— Swarajya (@SwarajyaMag) October 5, 2019
The Mumbai Police is at the location, trying to control the situation. To maintain peace, the Police imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in Aarey Colony.
Stay tuned for further updates.
