Green activists to stage silent protest tomorrow to oppose Centre’s nod for construction of Metro 3 car shed inside Aarey colony
A file picture of activists at Aarey Milk Colony staging a similar protest last year
Even as the ministry of environment forest and climate change (MOEFCC) has cleared the proposal for construction of a car shed at Aarey Milk Colony as part of the Metro Line 3 project, city-based green activists have decided to organise a silent protest tomorrow to protest the move.
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The decision was taken after a meeting of over 50 members of the Save Aarey and Save Aarey Conservation groups on Saturday afternoon. Aarey could lose a large portion of its forest cover — nearly 2,300 trees — if Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation goes ahead with the construction. Stalin D of NGO Vanashakti, who is also a member of the Save Aarey Conservation Group, said, “We are not happy with the way in which the MOEFCC has allowed the construction of a car depot at Aarey. This will have a negative impact on the biodiversity of the forest. We have decided to organise a public protest on Monday at the Aarey Picnic Point near the proposed Metro car shed site at 10 am. Citizens across Mumbai and the tribal community will stand together to save Aarey.”
Those participating in the protest have been asked to dress in black to show their solidarity towards the cause.
The protest comes after the MOEFCC released the Eco Sensitive Area (ESA) notification on December 6, giving the green light for the construction of the car shed. However, the clearance has come with a rider. Point No. 8 of the notification states: “The provisions of this notification are subject to the orders, if any, passed, or to be passed, by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India or the High Court or National Green Tribunal (NGT).”
After yesterday’s meeting, messages have been forwarded on WhatsApp, asking people to show their support to the cause. “The forests of Aarey are under threat from the Metro Car Shed, which will destroy 2,400 trees & 100 acres of forest landscape. Support the fight to protect Aarey from needless destruction. Show ur solidarity for the cause (sic),” one message read.
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