A week after Maharashtra cabinet ministers were allotted their portfolios, it did not come as a surprise that Aditya Thackeray has been elected as the Environment Minister for the state. With his continuous support towards Aarey and various initiative for beach clean ups, Mithi river clean up and mangrove protection, who better could represent Maharashtra's environment?
Moreover, he has even been elected as Maharashtra's tourism minister.
From tweeting about Aarey to assuring activists and citizens, Aditya Thackeray has time and again come forward for the cause. Prior to being the Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray had asserted that they will protect Aarey if they come to power, which was followed by him stating that he will ensure that no one even touches a leaf in Aarey in his first press conference as the CM. Here's what environmental activists have to say about Aditya Thackeray being elected as the Environment Minister:
Founder of Let India Breathe and Aarey Activist Stalin Dayanand asserted,
A young well informed, educated and environment-sensitive minister from Mumbai was the need of the hour. He has been very vocal in championing the cause of conservation, we look forward to his proactive steps to improve the biodiversity, forests, rivers and wetlands of the state. We welcome his induction into the position of power to make things better for conservation.
Congratulating Aditya Thackeray, founder of Everything Eco Anu Pillai said,
Firstly, congratulations to Mr Aditya Thackeray on being elected as the environment minister of Maharashtra. I hope he frames stringent policies on forest conservation, waste management and provides support to green start-ups. Tree plantation drives on environment day and occasional beach clean-ups are not what the ministry should be restricted to.
According to Aarey activist Yash Marwah,
He is entering a minefield. Maharashtra is a host to many environmental issues. The forests, the coasts, the rivers, it is all in a mess. Hope he comes out of this unhurt, only for the greater good. All his promises in the past will be watched carefully by the citizens.
Sharing a picture of Aditya Thackeray protesting against Metro 3 yard at Aarey in 2015 activist Zoru Bathena said,
We look forward to him to take a firm stand to protect Mumbai's Aarey forest, and to take all steps to protect our state's environment irrespective of where the project is located. Development must go hand in hand with the environment. It must never be a situation where we have to choose one over the other. We do hope he will lead the state and show us the right way to do both.
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