Activists want politicos to clear stand on Aarey trees issue

With just four days to go for the BMC polls, 'Save Aarey', a group of activists opposing the cutting of trees coming in the way of Metro III project, today urged the political parties to clear their stand on the issue or "be ready to face the wrath of the voters" in the upcoming elections.
Dozens of activists, along with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Preeti Sharma Menon, today held a press conference, in which they said that they would appeal to people not to vote for the party that does not come forward to save the trees in Aarey Colony.

"From tomorrow, we would start approaching the leaders of each party, who are seeking the votes of Mumbaikars in the name of development. We would ask them to clear their party's stand on the destruction of trees in Aarey Colony. If they give us a reply in writing to save the trees, then it is fine, otherwise we would appeal to people not to give their vote to that party," Sharma said.
Aarey Colony residents have been opposing the proposal to cut trees at the city's green zone to make way for a car shed depot for the Metro III project. Around 2,300 trees are obstructing the proposed car shed plan and need to be transplanted and cut. Environmentalists have even knocked on the doors of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

"We are not against the Metro project per se. But we want a little alignment in the route that will save around 2,300 precious trees from being chopped off," Sharma said.
According to her, the issue of trees in Aarey was going to be crucial in the election.

Amrita Bhattacharya, a member of Aarey Conservation Group, which is spearheading the Save Aarey campaign, said, "Cutting of trees is going to be fatal for not only the city but would also add to the global warming woes."
Meanwhile, Stalin D from Vanshakti NGO informed that the hearing in Aarey issue in the NGT, Pune has been adjourned till 15 March.

"The Forest department is unable to trace records of forests in suburban Mumbai, which were identified in 1997. The last order of the NGT directed them to produce those records. The department has sought more time to trace these records. Aarey is safe for now," Stalin said.
The activists also alleged that the Maharashtra Government was not sticking to its promise of saving the city's green-belt.
"Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had promised in 2014 to save the Aarey, but reneged on his promise. He took a U-turn and blindly followed the babus' recommendations to go ahead, despite environmentalists had registered their strong protest," Sharma alleged.