The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) had decided to cut down several trees at Aarey Colony to make way for car sheds in Metro Line 3. The authorities took the help of Mumbai Police on Saturday from 3:15 am to cut down trees in the region. However, the report said that 100 to 200 people gathered in the place to protest the most horrible event and to stop trees from being chopped.
Aarey Under Threat
It all happened after the Bombay High Courts ordered against the petitions opposing tree-felling in Aarey. However, the court was in favor of MMRC and supported the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Tree Authority’s decision to cut up to 2646 trees to construct a car shed for Metro Line 3.
#WATCH: Felling of trees underway at Mumbai's #AareyForest. #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/h00VIGPUIi
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2019
After the order passed by the high court, MMRC workers started cutting trees at Aarey which saw huge protestors gathering the place in anger at the late night on Friday.
Protesters arrested
The Aarey colony saw heavy police deployment amongst a massive protest. Police reported that few activists even tried to misbehave with the officials and also assaulted them. Following which a total of 23 men and 6 women were taken into custody.
Such a disappointing news on #AareyForest Cutting the trees in the night clearly shows even they know it’s horribly wrong,inhuman. But we can compliment #GretaThunberg act blind n deaf to our own #Aarey n think we did our bit to the #environment https://t.co/Tb0NyBbZPn
— Urmila Matondkar (@UrmilaMatondkar) October 5, 2019
Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena youth leader, tweeted condemning this incident. On the arrest of protesters and the cutting down of trees, he wanted to know who approved those actions.
The use of a large number of police personnel. Hacking trees in the dead of the night, even after winning in court (then why not broad day light) and detention of peaceful protesters and citizens. Who is authorising this? During Code of Conduct? All these powers handed to MMRC? https://t.co/SGv5yySfXn
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) October 5, 2019
Twitter reactions
Over 300 out of the proposed 2646 trees hacked to death in #AareyForest. In most cases 'Development' happens at the expense of Environmental degradation.Can we afford such a 'development'
We have killed the Mithi River in Mumbai & River Yamuna is already on the deathbed in Delhi
— Rachit Seth (@rachitseth) October 5, 2019
Wake up Mumbai!!! Wake up! They have been cutting trees since the wee hours. @mumbaipolice has laid seige over #AareyForest. Traffic is stopped at the 3 entrances #Marol #Powai #Highway
At least gather at these points and let them know you stood up when it mattered. #SaveAarey— Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) October 5, 2019
The brutal felling of trees at Aarey is a major setback for Mumbai.
It’s like repeatedly stabbing yourself in the lungs!
When cities destroy coastlines & green cover, they’re advancing the doomsday clock#AareyAiKaNa #AareyForest #Aarey
— Milind Deora मिलिंद देवरा (@milinddeora) October 5, 2019
Aditya Thackeray said "Authorities shd not cut down #AareyForest as it is bad for environment. Pls someone stop it"
BMC is under Shivsena.
Shivsena is the parter in Maharashtra govt.
Environment ministry is under Shivsena.Still Aditya is complaining on Twitter
Nautanki Sala !
— IRONY MAN (@karanku100) October 5, 2019
Remember when Modi said that he cares abt animal conservation, forests & environmental change on the Bear Grylls's show and Bhakts & Media went wild?
Well right now in Mumbai, the #AareyForest are slowly getting destroyed by the BJP ruled Govt.
The forest loving PM is silent. pic.twitter.com/qYaA2LWBj0
— Advaid (അദ്വൈത്) (@Advaidism) October 5, 2019
How do these people become lawyers? They arnt even humans. #TreeAct says after permission is out online there is a 15 day cooling off period before cutting.
Violations – Violated MCC by releasing the order & Began cutting trees withing hours of order. #SaveAarey #AareyForest https://t.co/KkgKWMBsH8— Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) October 5, 2019
Activists detained, reports of the police charging at protestors with batons..
When the govt uses force on its citizens who are trying to protect the environment. What a sad, sad day! #AareyForesthttps://t.co/CJqNpF8i5S
— Ruchira Chaturvedi (@RuchiraC) October 5, 2019
Aaditya Thackeray trying to stop officials from cutting trees.#AareyForest pic.twitter.com/2SyMibBsSV
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) October 5, 2019
the orders are given to chop down trees for a metro shed in the ‘guise’ of development. @CMOMaharashtra it's time to protect the Lungs of Mumbai. #AareyForest Needs to be protected. (2/2)
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) October 5, 2019
Picture of the day. #SaveAarey #AareyForest https://t.co/gApjDfvQoB
— Vinod Kapri #IamStayingHome #DontGoOut (@vinodkapri) October 5, 2019
Where humans have no value, how can trees get justice? #AareyForest pic.twitter.com/3Z13hGG9Wj
— Kating Kaapi (@KaapiKating) October 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/fayedsouza/status/1180174869704654848
#SaveAareyForest #SaveAarey The mute are being murdered in night #AareyForest #AareyAiKaNa #Aarey #AareyAiKaNa pic.twitter.com/swmjMuq96T
— Ashish Singh Thakur (@moviesashish) October 4, 2019
where are you @AUThackeray, where is the tiger cub hiding? where is your anger? where the hell is your anger?
not asking you to blacken faces.. not asking you to break the bones of couples.. not asking you to burn books… is that why you are missing ? #AareyForest pic.twitter.com/DPQYFYY52b— harish ?️? (@hiyer) October 4, 2019
It’s a sad day for all those who Love Nature! pic.twitter.com/gasTWc5jLe
— sanjiv (@psp_sanjiv) October 4, 2019
