Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) started the chopping in Aarey area in the bid to make the car shed for the Metro 3 line. The protestors and activists have gathered in large numbers to protest against this move and trying to stop the authorities from doing so.
As per the activists' claim, the trees are being cut illegally. As per the rules, the trees cannot be cut post-sunset. They also tat as per the rules, after the tree committee gives a go-ahead to the cutting of the trees, the order has to be uploaded on a government website and the trees can be cut 15 days after posting the permission on the website.
Many have taken to Twitter to express their anger and disappointment.
There is supposed to be a 15 day waiting period after permission is granted and notice has been uploaded on official website. But there is no waiting here. Our trees are being cut as citizens desperately plead to STOP this! @moefcc @PrakashJavdekar #Aarey https://t.co/nmVP7WllI7
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) October 4, 2019
Tree cutting is happening in Aarey NOW NOW!
— Geetika Ahuja (@GeetikaTweets) October 4, 2019
This is being done illegally, because @mybmc hasn't uploaded the permission on the website yet, post which they're allowed to cut post 15 days. Kindly go to the site, if you can. @MumbaiPolice @zoru75
STOP THIS NOW! pic.twitter.com/ZisTvrYwVz
We've just been Lathi Charged on the orders of the Zonal DCP.
— Ruben Mascarenhas (@rubenmasc) October 4, 2019
This is a shame! Police refuse to furnish documents! Not done! #SaveAareySaveMumbai
What a shame. Authorities cutting trees at #Aarey in #Mumbai. All world cities have so much green space. It’s a pity that the Mumbai govt doesn’t care👎 @narendramodi @PMOIndia @Dev_Fadnavis pic.twitter.com/ZNEs5x1dfy
— Tejas Hargude (@Tejashargude92) October 4, 2019
They are also questioning why Aditya Thackeray, who had been protesting against the cutting of these trees is not saying anything right now.
Dear @AUThackeray ji how can they start cutting the trees after sunset.... Why are they so much in a hurry to clean shave #Aarey? Please request you to stop this Killings. #SaveAarey https://t.co/DnadByBhbL
— Ketan Nardhani (@ketan83) October 4, 2019
Update: Aditya Thackeray has been regularly tweeting about this incidence. Not only has he raised questions on the manner in which this tree-cutting took place but he also attacked the authorities regarding sending activists to judicial custody.
Earlier in the day, Bombay High Court (HC) had delivered a piece of disappointing news to all the environmental activists and enthusiasts working towards the conservation of Aarey. The Bombay HC has dismissed all petitions opposing the Metro 3 (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) car-shed in Aarey and further ruled out that Aarey cannot be considered as a forest. The activists were all set to appeal in front of appex court regarding this matter.