Citizens need to keep up pressure on politicians

Varsha Gaikwad with residents at Kurla dairy

Residents of Nehru Nagar in Kurla East started a citizen termed ‘Lok Chalwal' to reserve the old Kurla government milk dairy land for a garden and recreation ground to maintain greenery. This paper reported how on Thursday they received support from Varsha Gaikwad, sitting Dharavi MLA and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate for Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North Central.

The 10.4-hectare piece of land earlier used by the government milk dairy at Nehru Nagar, Kurla, has been lying unused after the dairy shut down nearly a decade ago. Residents are upset about plans they have heard about commercially exploiting the land. It is a verdant patch, with approximately 900 precious trees.

Most citizen manifestos have mentioned the need to preserve green and keep the ecological balance of the area. This proves just how sensitive not just activists but citizens in general have become. They are also alarmed at the pace in which green spaces are being taken over for infra. While infrastructure is vital, there must be efforts to replace what is lost, replace gardens, trees as close to the vicinity as possible. New gardens can also be made. In fact, Mumbai has a sprawling Worli Dairy too, opposite the Worli Seaface. That too, can be made into a huge garden for citizens. Instead, we read reports, sporadically, about some development like an amusement park or hotel planned there.

This is an indicator that through the city there is concern about open spaces being taken over. It is taking prime place in these elections. Candidates needed to have an action plan about how they will up or preserve the green quotient. Since this is on the poll radar, it also shows that people and environment has moved from lip service to demanding action and preservation. We hope our political leaders whoever they may be prioritise this as it is high up on the city's wishlist.