In recent developments, Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has begun axing 199 trees at Mahalaxmi in order to make way for the construction of two road over-bridges (ROBs).
According to reports, this will decongest traffic and provide direct connectivity from Saat Rasta to Haji Ali Junction as well as Worli Naka. Earlier on Thursday, April 1, locals stated that two trees in the Mahalaxmi racecourse were axed.
However, the BMC has informed that of the 199 trees that are to be chopped, 46 will be transplanted but chopping fully grown trees comes at a cost that can severely impact the environment.
On the other hand, several environmental activists in Mumbai have been appealing to the civic authorities to stop the landfilling work at Aarey as muck is being dumped on the floodplain and catchment area of the Mithi river which can be harmful and pose massive flood risks.
According to reports, environmentalist Sanjeev Valsan has also filed a police complaint against the ongoing landfilling. In a statement, he elucidated, “It is sad to see landfilling is underway on five acres of land that is a floodplain and also the catchment area of Mithi River. This land is between the old Aarey forest nursery at Marol toll Naka and JVLR. There is a huge flood risk due to landfill. Who is doing this? Does the Aarey CEO know about this?”
Meanwhile, back in 1977, around 200 hectares of Aarey forest were cleared to make space for the Film City. In 2010, the proposed plan to expand the Byculla Zoo to include a night safari route for tourists was put into action. A further 40 acres of forested land was cleared to accommodate this expansion.
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