MMRCL Claim:
Sanjay Gandhi Nation Park is spread over 11,687 Ha whereas Aarey Colony in 1287 Ha. Out of the 1287 hectare, the metro car shed will be only built on 30 Ha which is just 2.5% of Aarey. There is no need to worry, this is only a small amount of loss of 0.6% to Mumbai.
Truth:
1. MMRC has asked 65 Ha not 30 Ha of Aarey from Environmental Ministry as falsely claimed in the advertisements. Please click on the link to see the documents:
https://www.facebook.com/734792891/posts/10158806819437892/
2. MMRC doesn't stop with building a car shed, there are several development projects waiting to usurp the forest once the car shed makes an entry. 36Ha for slum rehabilitation project, 177Ha for film city, 1.6Ha for RTO, 2Ha for metro bhavan, 97.12Ha for zoo. Total 346.72Ha of Aarey going for development projects.
3. The loss of 0.6% due to destruction of 2700 trees is dubious. Lossing 65 Ha of Aarey forest will result in socio-economic-ecological losses as follows:
A. Loss of clean air
Ideal tree: human ratio is 7-8 trees per person. In Mumbai we have 1 tree between 4 persons. When this dangerous ratio requires an urgent increase in green cover losing 2702 trees is unaffordable.
B. Socio-economic loss
The ‘socio-economic’ value of a tree is Rs 23.72 lakh a year, accordingly loosing 2702 trees would mean losing a staggering Rs. 642 crore loss a year. If we go by the average that a healthy tree can provide oxygen for 30 years, the loss would escalate to Rs 22,000 crore.
C. Loss of civilizations and cultures
The project affects over 27 tribal hamlets & is likely to directly affect over 2,000 indigenous tribal families that have been living here since generations.
D. Loss of Mithi river floodplain
Metro 3 Car Shed site at Aarey is floodplains of the Mithi River. Concretisation of floodplains by building car shed will increase the chances of flooding in already flood-prone Mumbai.
E. Loss of biological corridor for wildlife
There have been several incidents of leopards spotting reported in the area where the metro car shed is proposed. This area acts as biological corridor for the wildlife that aarey forest is nurturing.
Our administration has not learnt to evaluate and appreciate the immense value a balanced ecosystem can add to the holistic wellbeing of the citizens. We request the authorities to kindly not make use of data science to justify the destruction of invaluable complex forest system gifted to the city of Mumbai.