There are many pseudo-intellectuals giving sane advice to the new government that whatever damage had to happen has happened in the area of metro car shed in Aarey colony, already 2100 trees have been cut, let ‘development’ work continue. MMRCL solicitor tried to make similar point in Supreme Court in order to influence the court against putting a stay on felling of trees in Aarey by saying that they have felled 2,141 of the allowed 2,185 trees, barely 44 short of its target.
Stalin D, director, Vanashakti debunks the MMRCL claims and says that less than 350 trees have been cut. “We have tree maps and videos of the site that show that close to 2,500 trees are very much there.”
Petitioner Zoru Bhathena says “It is impossible to fell over 2,000 trees in four days which would require massive manpower and enhanced machinery.”
MMRC refused to comment on Hindustan Times’ questions on how many people were involved in the tree-cutting process, what technology was used to hack the trees, and whether any submissions were made before SC. Sources said power saws were used to hack the trees and 40 people were hired (as contractors) for the exercise on October 4.
To clear the confusion, environment group Vanashakti has requested the Supreme Court (SC) to intervene, and form a committee to assess the actual loss of trees at the site. SC is scheduled to hear the matter on December 16.
Whether MMRCL has cut 2100 trees or not, the car shed should not be allowed inside a forest because the construction of car shed comes under the red category of polluting industries. Normally, industries falling under ‘Red’ category are not be permitted in ecologically fragile or sensitive areas. Aarey is a forest with more than 4 lakh trees, 9 resident leopards, 435 species of life including insects, birds, reptiles, mammals. In a car depot, the trains can be washed, cleaned, repaired and maintained. These operations contaminate the ground water, release hazardous wastes which includes dangerous chemicals and excessively consume natural resources. Besides, the operations disturb the natural flora and fauna.
Even if 2100 trees are cut, no construction of car shed should be allowed. Instead, the area can become an ideal site for replantation activities of MMRCL to compensate for its other development activities.
Any piece of land in a jungle belongs to its inhabitants which include its biodiversity and indigenous people. Let us and our carbon footprints stay out of their inherited lands.