Mumbai Fights to Protect Precious Aarey Forest

Mumbaikars and environmentalists have been protesting against the Maharashtra government’s move to construct a Metro car shed, service center and station on 33 hectares of Aarey forest land in Mumbai’s Goregaon. Recently on August 24, Mumbai Urban Development Department had formally reserved a portion of the Aarey forest land for the metro shed and allied uses by deleting it from the list of Non Development Zone (NDZ). While the opposition parties alleged a multi-crore scam on the part of state government, the dispute is currently with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) which issued a stay on any works by the metro. Next hearing is scheduled on 15 January 2018.

D. Stalin, head of Mumbai based NGO Vanashakti which filed the petition on this issue with the NGT, questioned the government’s intention in choosing Aarey forest land - the largest green patch in Mumbai - as the location for the Metro shed. “We have suggested ten alternative locations for the proposed shed instead of this eco-sensitive Aarey forest land but Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who gives speeches on sustainable development did not even consider the options,” he said. He added that if the shed is constructed on Aarey land, 4000 trees will be cut down.

Speaking to Newsclick, he alleged that the deal was a “money-making project for the Maharashtra government and the Metro corporation as the disputed land is worth of nearly Rs.30,000 crore”.

“Why is the government trying to take over 33 hectares of land when such metro sheds could be built on 10 hectares of land?” he asked.

The Aarey forest is spread around 1300 acres of land in North Mumbai and is home to several species of birds, insects, reptiles and leopards. There are about 29 tribal hamlets located within the forest. It has been reported that according to a state-led survey, the Aarey forest is the fifth important zone in terms of the ecological importance of the city.

Adding their voice to the protest, a social media campaign called ‘Save Aarey’ has been launched by numerous Mumbai citizens. They have been vocal against construction of the Metro shed on Aarey forest land and are appealing to the chief minister’s office through tweets and posts to relocate the project site.

Meanwhile, Mumbai High Court is examining whether the location of Metro shed could be shifted to 41-hectare saltpan land at Kanjurmarg in the city (the site was earlier in consideration by the government). Reportedly, Kanjurmarg site is embroiled in an ownership dispute which has been taken up by the Court to resolve the issue.

The upcoming Mumbai Metro 3 is going to be a major relief to Mumbai people from the devastating pollution present there. However, people are worried about the cost – losing Aarey forest even though other options are available.