In recent developments, the Aarey colony, which has been a subject of much debate, is to be handed over to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) soon, however, the forest area is being reduced by five acres in order for the authorities to build a police station in the area.
According to reports, the Maharashtra government has directed the forest department to enable the park authorities to take possession of the land.
The Aarey forests have been the last remaining patch of greenery in the city of Mumbai. Earlier, several activists had been battling against the felling of trees in the area. The forest is home to rich biodiversity which is being damaged as a consequence of the development projects. There are 27 tribal hamlets within Aarey Colony with nine hamlets across Force One, Film City, Veterinary College and SRPF areas. Last year, the government declared 800 acres of Aarey Colony as forest.
Even though the state dairy development department, owner of Aarey Colony land, had proposed a police station for Aarey Colony and earmarked land for it but this portion was included in land identified for the forest.
According to reports, earlier this month, the department requested the state revenue and forest department to exclude the five acres and take over the rest. The authorities further stated that the current police station functions out of a residential complex. Moreover, in view of the rising population in the Aarey Colony, it was difficult for the police station to work due to which it requires a separate space.
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