Petition to save Aarey Forest often termed as Lungs of Mumbai

Petition to save Aarey Forest often termed as Lungs of Mumbai

The Issue

Aarey Forest is home to 76 species of #birds,80 species of #butterflies, 16 species of #mammals, 9 #Leopards and Tree Authority is planning to demolish a part of this forest just for developing a Metro Car shed.

Isn't the nature already giving us a wake-up call with its changing climate in the form of Rain and extreme weather anomalies ? 

Aren't we supposed to fix the damage we have already done to your nature instead of aggravating the same ?

Just one tree of this forest absorbs 20 Kg of CO2 that our car emits after travelling about 80 Kms. Just imagine how much 2700 of these can take.

Still it seems it isnt  enough for the government to stop this irresponsible act of cutting down trees even after having alternate viable options. They need us to remind them of their responsibilities towards the present and the future. 

Lets sign this petition and keep the fight on till the better sense prevails and the authorities take the step back on this disastrous decision.

avatar of the starter
Sourabh JhaPetition Starter
Media inquiries

3,695

The Issue

Aarey Forest is home to 76 species of #birds,80 species of #butterflies, 16 species of #mammals, 9 #Leopards and Tree Authority is planning to demolish a part of this forest just for developing a Metro Car shed.

Isn't the nature already giving us a wake-up call with its changing climate in the form of Rain and extreme weather anomalies ? 

Aren't we supposed to fix the damage we have already done to your nature instead of aggravating the same ?

Just one tree of this forest absorbs 20 Kg of CO2 that our car emits after travelling about 80 Kms. Just imagine how much 2700 of these can take.

Still it seems it isnt  enough for the government to stop this irresponsible act of cutting down trees even after having alternate viable options. They need us to remind them of their responsibilities towards the present and the future. 

Lets sign this petition and keep the fight on till the better sense prevails and the authorities take the step back on this disastrous decision.

avatar of the starter
Sourabh JhaPetition Starter
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray
Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray
Former Chief Minister of Maharashtra
Responded
“From the Chief Minister’s Office, Maharashtra Mumbaikars would be happy to note that the Maharashtra government has on 11th October, declared an 808-acre parcel of Aarey land near the Sanjay Gandhi National Park as a reserve forest. This decision is an acknowledgement and recognition of the concerns of citizens who had campaigned to save Aarey, an area which serves as Mumbai’s lungs. People’s participation in the sustainable development of Maharashtra has always been sacrosanct to the vision and mission of the government of Maharashtra. You will also be happy to note that the car shed will now be moved to Kanjurmarg from Aarey and the state government will provide the required land for “zero rupees” and the authorities have been instructed to begin work. As citizens and environmentalists who took to the streets to protest against the tree felling that was carried out at night, and were booked for protesting against the devious act, you would be happy to note that the Cabinet has approved of withdrawing the charges filed against them. The Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has directed the Home Department to start the procedure for the same. The decision should also resolve the fears expressed in the Change.org petition initiated by Mr Sourabh Jha, and backed by thousands of citizens, seeking a halt to the cutting of several hundred trees in the Aarey forest area. It is the sustained campaign of people around the world, championing the cause of the environment in Mumbai that brought the issue into focus and enabled the MVA state government to take decisive steps. This state government is committed to sustainable development and to conserving the unique flora and fauna in the metropolis in their natural habitat. This decision of the Maharashtra government to preserve 808 acres near SGNP as a reserve forest will make it the first of its kind initiative anywhere in the world, in which a vast forest will be grown in the heart of a metropolis. The state government will not rest with just conserving Mumbai’s urban flora. Directives have been given to ensure that while deciding on the reserved forest area, the rights of the tribal community, as well as others concerned, should be held sacrosanct. This decision will protect Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the forest resources in Aarey and meet the long standing demand of concerned citizens. The state government is committed to work together with citizens to ensure sustainable development, and build a Maharashtra that our future generations deserve.”

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Petition created on September 5, 2019