The Maharashtra Forest Department has set up a six-member committee to pitch mitigation measures to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) prior to the construction of the new Aarey Milk Colony Road.
This proposed concrete road will go through the Aarey forest. Keeping this in mind, locals and wildlife activists had demanded that the BMC take suggestions from the Forest Department. They also sought the construction of four to five underpasses next to the proposed road for the animals.
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Mid-day reports that Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray met with officials of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) on August 24. Thackeray reportedly directed them to team up with the BMC and institute a committee of experts to recommend mitigation measures during the construction of the road.
Taking this into consideration, SGNP’s Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) G Mallikarjun established a six-member committee on the 27th of August. This committee includes a Biologist, the Divisional Forest Officer, two wildlife enthusiasts, and the Honorary Wildlife Wardens (HWW) of Mumbai Suburbs and Thane respectively.
Speaking on the newly instituted committee, a Forest Department official said, “The committee will conduct site visits and suggest certain locations where the existing culverts can be redesigned in such a manner that they act as underpasses for safe passage of animals. It is also said that there will be signages informing about wildlife crossings that will be installed along the road, and at important locations, speed-breakers will also be installed.”
As part of the construction of the road, an existing 7.2-kilometre tar road will be concretized. The project is estimated to cost ₹40 crores.
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