MMRCL Claim: Constructing the Metro car depot in Aarey Colony will have no major ecological impact because there is 'no wildlife at the site'.

Fact:
1. State forest records in reply to an RTI show that at least 7 leopards have been sighted at the forest area in past 3 years.

2. A ‘Mumbaikars for SGNP’ survey in 2012 stated that there are 5-6 leopards in Aarey Colony, while researchers also claim to have found leopard scat around the car depot plot. Not to mention, a little girl was killed in an encounter with a leopard in 2013, 500 metres away.

3. Local residents say they frequently see leopards, even in the Navapada tribal hamlet barely 200-300 metres away.

4. If there is no movement of leopards, then why has the MMRC asked the dairy department to set up lights at the site of the proposed car shed site arguing that it will help workers against wild animals?

5. Wildlife of Aarey forest consists of:
77 species of birds, 16 species of mammals, 38 species of reptiles, 90 different types of spiders, 5 species of Tarantula, 6 species of scorpions, 86 species of butterflies. The discovery of Lychas aareyensis, a species of scorpion that was first found in Aarey and named after it also points towards the biodiversity here.  

A rare amphibian, Caeciliaus, was discovered recently in the interiors of Aarey colony. “It is a snake-like amphibian that generally lays its eggs near water bodies. Such species are found in less numbers across the country,” added Mirza.

Aarey attracts a host of migratory birds and dragonflies coming in from the Himalayas or parts of southern Europe.

6. The MMRCL claim doesn't have any scientific studies such as camera trapping exercises to study animal movements in the area.

7. The Metro authorities lie about the forest and wildlife in Aarey Milk Colony in order to secure a loan for the Metro line III project from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)