In August 2019, BMC’s Tree Authority had cleared a proposal for cutting down more than 2,700 trees in Mumbai’s Aarey Forest for the construction of a car shed for Metro-3 passengers. This caused massive outrage both offline and online. Celebrities and citizens alike were condemning the Maharashtra government and there were massive protests that were held. This led to the government declaring 600 acres of Aarey land to be declared as a ‘reserve forest’.
And now, Maharashtra is going through a political crisis. In case you haven’t been following the news, Uddhav Thackeray has resigned as the Chief Minister of the state after facing rebellion in his own party and his position has been filled by Eknath Shinde. Right after coming into power, CM Shinde decided to reverse the decision made by the Thackeray-led government – he has shifted the metro car-shed project back to Aarey Colony, reported Indian Express.
As a result, many took to social media to express their disappointment at the decision, including Raveena Tandon.
No one against development. But it’s sad to see deforestation and leopards and tigers dying as rail and road https://t.co/wFr26GswCW long as whichever govt comes/goes,they need to protect our wildlife with better mitigation measures.overpasses and fencing.#prayers @Dev_Fadnavis https://t.co/Pvh2S3k5BC
— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) June 30, 2022
It’s not even been been 24 hours of returning back to power and the destruction has begun.
Aarey forest under threat once again. pic.twitter.com/4IrZMhzE34— Vimlendu Jha विमलेंदु झा (@vimlendu) July 1, 2022
The trees in Aarey forest tremble in fear.
He who stabs at night, is back.— Nina Arora (@nina11_arora) June 30, 2022
The main concern is now #AareyForest, the lungs of Mumbai. https://t.co/8qQmqGxzUR
— Sk Badiruddin (@skbadiruddin) July 1, 2022
Never seen a bunch of people so hellbent on destroying their last remaining lung space and wildlife habitat to get back at opponents. Lol read the replies and QTs 😍😍 https://t.co/S9ZmvnKuAZ
— Taz (@xtahzy) June 30, 2022
This is literally the first action taken by the government!
When will be realise that infrastructure can be planned in a manner to cause least environmental damage? https://t.co/sCSz3h8HMP— Natasha Ramarathnam (@nuts2406) July 1, 2022
Of ALL the things he could have tackled on Day 1, THIS is what he chooses!Undo the order to designate #Aarey as protected forest. Seriously? Couldn't find anything else to do in the middle of the night? 🙄
Doesn't really align with big bosses 'we pledge to protect our forests' https://t.co/HYfmWVNQdA
— Ambika Vishwanath (@theidlethinker) July 1, 2022
What are your views on this incident?