BMC issues notice for cutting trees in Aarey

Invites objections over MMRCL’s proposal to construct carshed; hearing on October 10

With the National Green Tribunal (NGT) providing no relief to those opposing the Metro car shed inside Aarey colony, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has put out a public notice for removing 2,700 trees from the spot.

Following a Metro Corporation proposal, it has invited objections to cut 2,238 trees and transplant 464. People have time until October 10 to register their opposition.

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) proposal to construct a carshed inside Aarey colony had led some environmentalists to approach the NGT to declare the area as a forest.

However, the NGT last week made it clear that it did not have the jurisdiction to do so, effectively lifting the ban on Metro work inside the colony.

Soon after, the BMC decided to consider MMRCL’s proposal for removing 2,702 trees from the spot.

There are 3,691 trees on the site, of which 2,702 will have to be removed. These include 2,238 that will have to be cut and 464 that will have to be transplanted.

“Be it BMC or MMRCL, they have been trying to bulldoze Mumbai’s last remaining green cover for years now. We will move the appropriate forum in the matter,” Director of NGO Vanshakti, Stalin D., who had filed the petition, said.

Meanwhile, the objections submitted will be given a hearing on October 10, and Metro staffers might be asked to make a presentation.

“Most objections will be for saving trees. We will put them before the Metro authorities once again to check if any trees can be saved. If not, both the proposal and the objection will be put forth before the Tree Authority who will take the final call,” said a senior BMC Garden Department officer.

“The Tree Authority had earlier passed a proposal to cut 440 trees subject to the NGT’s decision. With that decision in place, the trees will be cut soon. But the very constitution of the Authority is questionable as it does not have the requisite expert members. I will bring this to the court’s notice,” said activist Zoru Bathena

Aarey colony had been marked as a green zone in the new Development Plan with the specific exception of the carshed.

People can submit their objections to the office of the Superintendent of Gardens, VJB Udyan, Byculla East, Mumbai-27.