Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) decided to call off their previous decision of cutting 3267 trees to make an Olympic-size swimming pool and a gymnasium in the locality of Bhayandar. This comes after there was a huge uproar among the citizens over cutting down trees.
On October 29, the MBMC released a press note stating that after they saw an outrageous response by the public, environmentalists, and nature lovers, the construction of the swimming pool and gymnasium which was proposed to be constructed on land parcels tagged with garden reservation on survey number 230 in Bhayandar East will be moved to some other location. They will see to it that the proposed project of constructing a swimming pool and gymnasium is moved to an appropriate location, where ecological balance can be maintained.
Notably, on October 23, the civic body's tree authority published a public notice in response to a proposal to transplant 3,237 trees, including 607 (above 3 meters in height) and 2660 (below 3 meters) in accordance with section 8(3) (C) of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection & Preservation of Trees Act, 1975. The notice invited comments and suggestions within a week.
Citizens and environmentalists questioned the practicality of the plan to relocate the thousands of trees that were in danger of being cut down, as well as the reasoning behind further reducing the amount of green space available. They were also concerned about the survival rate of the tree relocation process, which requires a significant financial investment as well as specialized knowledge.
Former Deputy Mayor Hasmukh Gehlot, who had voiced opposition to the decision along with a number of others, sighed with relief and expressed gratitude that the civic government had decided to reverse the decision. Without endangering the ecology, the swimming pool can be built anywhere else in the twin city, he said.
Leader of the BJP Advocate Ravi Vyas expressed a similar concern. It's interesting to note that the civic administration collaborated with a reputable NGO, Green Yatra, as part of their ambitious plan to further increase the green cover of the twin cities. The goal of their collaboration was to create an urban forest in the same barren area through Miyawakitechnique. It is a unique forestation technique based on the work of Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. According to the NGO Green Yatra, the urban forest is blossoming and improving the microclimate by changing the temperature, oxygen content, and biodiversity. They are pleased that their efforts will not be in vain as they have been taking the best possible care of the forest.
This was a necessary step as the AQI in Mumbai and adjoining areas is quite poor these days. In a letter to the state pollution control board and the Maharashtra government, the Centre expressed high concerns over Mumbai's air quality management, pointing out that the city has seen an increase in tree cutting for infrastructure projects and recommended more green space to be made. The Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change also requested an action-taking report on the issues it identified within a week, in a letter dated October 26.
N Subrahmanyam, the joint director at the ministry, said that a significant amount of trees have been taken down in the last four years to make room for infrastructure projects like the Mumbai Metro and Bullet Train Project. Trees are essential for reducing air pollution because they collect suspended particulate matter. The government should prioritise improving green areas like parks and open spaces.
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