12.03 kms in Aarey Forest

A 12.03 kms run in Aarey Forest on 28th October (posting late). Going to Aarey after a long time, so it was quite tough, but weather was very pleasant. No plan on any distances, but felt good so kept on running all the flat surfaces in Aarey (did not want to do too many hills). Aarey Forest is beautiful, a heaven in a mega city. Pity that the Chief Minister wants to destroy this beautiful forest for his stupid metro car shed project.

Aarey Forest

Running inside Aarey Forest after quite a while, so was struggling with the inclines, plus was running with couple of friends, that is why you see the zigzag which is for the walking breaks in between. Despite the scorching October heat in Mumbai, temps were much cooler inside the forest. Makes sense to have a forest in the middle of the city instead of the crazy idea of the government to kill the forest to make way for a metro car shed. Horrible idea that is.

Save Aarey Forest

The BMC's tree authority has issued a notice for permission for removal of 2,702 tree by MMRCL at Aarey for the proposed polluting Metro3 Car Depot near the Mithi River - which will cause Mumbai to flood even more, and even destroy a leopard habitat! As required by law, they have put an ad in the papers inviting OBJECTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC IN WRITING TO THE CUTTING

If you believe this is important, please write your objection to this disastrous proposal SEND YOUR OBJECTION LETTERS 

Also come* on Wed 10th Oct at 2.30pm & show that you stand for Aarey Forest 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼 Even if you're 'busy,' your written hard copy complaints and presence IN LARGE NUMBERS on 10th can save 2702 trees. There is no better use for your valuable time than this!
#saveaareyforest

VENUE:VENUE:
Office of the Tree Officer, 2nd fl, Penguin building, Byculla Zoo (Jijamata Udyan) Also locally known as "Rani Baug" - Enter through back entrance - on the Masina Hospital lane, near petrol pump and bus stop, since main zoo gate is shut on Wednesdays (Tree Authority Byculla on Google Maps)

DATE AND TIME:
10th October 2.30 PM

GETTING THERE
Closest railway stations - Reay Road (Harbour Line), Byculla (Central line) or Grant Road (Western Line). There will be no traffic at that time, so road travel is also easy.

GROUP CO-ORDINATION 
If needed you can message the Aarey Forest page (host of this fb event page)

BUT hard copy letters and your presence in person will work much better, because Govt offices sometimes don't accurately disclose the exact number of emails they receive, nor do they always acknowledge receipt

SAMPLE LETTER - YOU MAY CUT+PASTE OR WRITE YOUR OWN LETTER AS PER YOUR WISH

BUT SEND IT BY SPEED POST EARLIEST 

To,
Suptd of Gardens & Tree Officer,
VJB Udyan, Byculla (E),
Mumbai 400027
India


Sir,

SUBJECT – Strong objection to permission applied for proposed cutting of 2702 trees at Aarey Milk Colony by MMRCL for Metro-3 (Colaba-Seepz line) 

I refer to your Public Notice inviting objections to cut/remove trees at Aarey Milk Colony for Mumbai Metro 3 related work [ Ad in DNA Newspaper dated 26/9/2018 and Public Hearing on 10.10.2018] 

As a citizen of India and resident of Mumbai, I strongly object to any proposal to cut/remove trees at Aarey Forest in Goregaon East, Mumbai and urge you to deny any such permission.

This land is an eco-sensitive forested area and must be protected at all costs. The proposed Metro3 construction activities in Aarey are to take place on low-lying area of Aarey, along the catchment area of the Mithi River, whose role in nature is to contain flooding, and I am sure you will understand that there should be no construction or deforestation in such places.

Tampering with flood plains like this could lead to disastrous monsoon flooding of entire Mumbai city during high tides, a disaster which I am sure even the BMC does not want. Allowing any construction and deforestation along the Mithi River is detrimental to the interests of all Mumbaikars. It is saddening to see that Instead of broadening the banks of the Mithi River to allow for good drainage and planting more trees there, we are having proposals such as construction of polluting facilities and “Red flag industries” like chemical-emitting car servicing sheds at this ecologically critical zone near the source of the Mithi River.

Moreover, rich biodiversity including endangered species of animals and plants protected by Indian laws is found in Aarey, and these have been spotted around the proposed metro3 car shed site. Leopards are a well-documented schedule 1 endangered/protected species in Aarey, and it is our legal duty to protect them since Aarey is regarded as one of the world’s densest leopard habitats. Cutting forests will force leopards to enter residential areas in Andheri and Goregaon, endangering both humans and leopards.

The wilderness of Aarey doesn't just give us oxygen and filter the air we breathe, it also regulates our climate, drainage, water table and natural resources for the tribal people living here. It is BMC’s duty to maintain this, and hence BMC cannot constitutionally take our basic rights to a good environment away from us.

I commute regularly by public transport and fully support the need to build good public transport in Mumbai, but it is also well-known that the Mumbai Metro3 has several alternative options available which are not as eco sensitive as Aarey. Please ask the MMRC to explore those instead of repeatedly chasing Aarey for whatever suspicious reasons. We only object to this reckless cutting in Aarey Forest, and not the metro project itself.

It is both illegal and unconstitutional for public sector undertakings like MMRCL or BMC to promote environmental destruction when other un-forested options for car sheds are available. The people of Mumbai will not accept such bad governance.

It is sad to see that Instead of proudly protecting THE WORLD’S ONLY URBAN FOREST in which 7000 indigenous tribals in 27 tribal villages live in harmony with wild leopards in a natural forest the middle of a metropolis like Mumbai and promoting it proudly as an ecotourism role model world-wide, a public sector corporation like MMRCL is working against the people and asking for permission to destroy the pride of Mumbai. We hope that BMC will not betray Mumbai this time.

Moreover, there are cases going on in courts regarding the matter, and it would be unethical to give permission to cut trees while these matters are in court. 

Lastly, the BMC has already rejected the parts of Mumbai's development Plan which proposed construction of Metro shed in Aarey, citing many of the very same reasons as i have, so it is only reasonable that your department also reject the removal of trees here related to the plan that BMC itself has rejected. How can the BMC go against the BMC’s own stand on Aarey?

I do not want you to give permissions to Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL) to remove these trees in Aarey Colony/ Aarey Forest. Please acknowledge receipt of this objection.

Thanking You
(Signature, name, address)

Save Aarey Forest

TIME TO ACT TODAY OCT 3rd! #saveaareyforest
The BMC's tree authority has issued a notice for permission for removal of 2,702 tree by MMRCL at Aarey Forest for the proposed polluting Metro3 Car Depot near the Mithi River - which will cause Mumbai to flood even more, and even destroy a leopard habitat! As required by law, they have put an ad in the papers inviting OBJECTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC IN WRITING TO THE CUTTING

If you believe this is important, please write your objection to this disastrous proposal
SEND YOUR LETTERS BEFORE LAST DATE SPECIFIED - OCT 3rd 2018

Also come* on Wed 10th Oct at 2.30pm & show that you stand for Aarey Forest 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼 Even if you're 'busy,' your written hard copy complaints and presence IN LARGE NUMBERS on 10th can save 2702 trees. There is no better use for your valuable time than this!
#saveaareyforest

VENUE:
Office of the Tree Officer, 2nd fl, Penguin building, Byculla Zoo (Jijamata Udyan) Also locally known as "Rani Baug"

DATE AND TIME:
10th October 2.30 PM

GETTING THERE
Closest railway stations - Reay Road (Harbour Line), Byculla (Central line) or Grant Road (Western Line). There will be no traffic at that time, so road travel is also easy.

GROUP CO-ORDINATION 
If needed you can message the Aarey Forest page (host of this fb event page)

If you can't personally make it, you can also email in your objections to sg.gardens@mcgm.gov.in
And CC to aareyconservationgroup@gmail.com

BUT hard copy letters and your presence in person will work much better, because Govt offices sometimes don't accurately disclose the exact number of emails they receive, nor do they always acknowledge receipt

SAMPLE LETTER - YOU MAY CUT+PASTE OR WRITE YOUR OWN LETTER AS PER YOUR WISH

To,
Suptd of Gardens & Tree Officer,
VJB Udyan, Byculla (E),
Mumbai 400027
India
Email- sg.gardens@mcgm.gov.in
CC: aareyconservationgroup@gmail.com

Sir,

SUBJECT – Strong objection to permission applied for proposed cutting of 2702 trees at Aarey Milk Colony by MMRCL for Metro-3 (Colaba-Seepz line)

I refer to your Public Notice inviting objections to cut/remove trees at Aarey Milk Colony for Mumbai Metro 3 related work [ Ad in DNA Newspaper dated 26/9/2018 and Public Hearing on 10.10.2018]

As a citizen of India and resident of Mumbai, I strongly object to any proposal to cut/remove trees at Aarey Forest in Goregaon East, Mumbai and urge you to deny any such permission.

This land is an eco-sensitive forested area and must be protected at all costs. The proposed Metro3 construction activities in Aarey are to take place on low-lying area of Aarey, along the catchment area of the Mithi River, whose role in nature is to contain flooding, and I am sure you will understand that there should be no construction or deforestation in such places.

Tampering with flood plains like this could lead to disastrous monsoon flooding of entire Mumbai city during high tides, a disaster which I am sure even the BMC does not want. Allowing any construction and deforestation along the Mithi River is detrimental to the interests of all Mumbaikars. It is saddening to see that Instead of broadening the banks of the Mithi River to allow for good drainage and planting more trees there, we are having proposals such as construction of polluting facilities and “Red flag industries” like chemical-emitting car servicing sheds at this ecologically critical zone near the source of the Mithi River.

Moreover, rich biodiversity including endangered species of animals and plants protected by Indian laws is found in Aarey, and these have been spotted around the proposed metro3 car shed site. Leopards are a well-documented schedule 1 endangered/protected species in Aarey, and it is our legal duty to protect them since Aarey is regarded as one of the world’s densest leopard habitats. Cutting forests will force leopards to enter residential areas in Andheri and Goregaon, endangering both humans and leopards.

The wilderness of Aarey doesn't just give us oxygen and filter the air we breathe, it also regulates our climate, drainage, water table and natural resources for the tribal people living here. It is BMC’s duty to maintain this, and hence BMC cannot constitutionally take our basic rights to a good environment away from us.

I commute regularly by public transport and fully support the need to build good public transport in Mumbai, but it is also well-known that the Mumbai Metro3 has several alternative options available which are not as eco sensitive as Aarey. Please ask the MMRC to explore those instead of repeatedly chasing Aarey for whatever suspicious reasons. We only object to this reckless cutting in Aarey Forest, and not the metro project itself.

It is both illegal and unconstitutional for public sector undertakings like MMRCL or BMC to promote environmental destruction when other un-forested options for car sheds are available. The people of Mumbai will not accept such bad governance.

It is sad to see that Instead of proudly protecting THE WORLD’S ONLY URBAN FOREST in which 7000 indigenous tribals in 27 tribal villages live in harmony with wild leopards in a natural forest the middle of a metropolis like Mumbai and promoting it proudly as an ecotourism role model world-wide, a public sector corporation like MMRCL is working against the people and asking for permission to destroy the pride of Mumbai. We hope that BMC will not betray Mumbai this time.

Moreover, there are cases going on in courts regarding the matter, and it would be unethical to give permission to cut trees while these matters are in court.

Lastly, the BMC has already rejected the parts of Mumbai's development Plan which proposed construction of Metro shed in Aarey, citing many of the very same reasons as i have, so it is only reasonable that your department also reject the removal of trees here related to the plan that BMC itself has rejected. How can the BMC go against the BMC’s own stand on Aarey?

I do not want you to give permissions to Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL) to remove these trees in Aarey Colony/ Aarey Forest. Please acknowledge receipt of this objection.

Thanking You
(Signature, name, address)

Save Aarey Forest

Mumbai, this is your chance to stand up for Aarey forest. Come with your objections and submit them , take individual letters, take individual acknowledgement for your submission. No point in online anger, express your views and opposition in person. Stand up and be counted on 10 th October at 2_30 PM at the Garden superintendent office at Byculla Zoo. It's now or never. Please SHARE WIDELY

Save Aarey Forest

For those who came in late

Mumbai’s lush green Aarey Forest is under threat due to various development projects – the foremost being the cutting of 3,500 trees for the construction of a car shed for the upcoming Mumbai Metro 3. Activists along with actors and artists and many others have been petitioning CM Devendra Fadnavis to relocate the car shed to another area and help Mumbai retain its green space.

However, a lot of people are misunderstanding that we are against the Mumbai metro and the government. What we are against is a lack of conversation and transparency from the government. Here is a quick fact check.

1. Are we against the metro?

NO. We are against the cutting of 3,500 trees for the metro car shed. This is where the parking of the trains will be done. It’s alarming why the trains will be parked in the middle of a forest at the cost of thousands of trees. Also, the idea of a Metro Station at Aarey is purely ridiculous, because there are hardly any people living there! The government added this station so that it can build commercial activities around it in the future. To put this in perspective, have you ever imagined trains being parked in New York’s Central Park or a train station inside the park built after cutting its trees? It’s the green lung of New York and the government does every bit to save it. So why can’t we?�� In fact, Mumbai might need 10 lines of metro in the future, but if we don’t stand up to the cutting of trees right now, there wont be any green patch left for Mumbaikars in the future. It’s not development, it’s suicide.

2. We all need a Metro. Trees jaaye bhaad mein. (To hell with the trees.) They will grow again.

There are seven options of land available to the government where there is Barren land to build this parking shed and station WITHOUT cutting trees. Still, it has chosen Aarey Forest – the only remaining lungs of Mumbai! The reason? Shh… Shhh… Smelling a rat here?

The 3,500 trees will not grow again, but there is a chance the government will cut more trees again. It already has a lot of commercial projects lined up after the trees are cut, including a zoo. Yes, a fuckin’ zoo in the middle of a forest. Not just a zoo, about 100 hectares of land for a rehabilitation township is reserved in Aarey. So, it does not stop at the metro shed! Remember the full-page ads run by the MMRCL in every leading newspaper in Mumbai and Gujarat some months ago for the metro? It claimed no commercial activity will be planned in Aarey, then why make a metro station in Aarey? Daal mein kuch kaala hai? (Is there something fishy?) Has the Indian population ever held any politician to his word? Fadnavis knows like every other politician that public memory is short and people don't care if they are swindled.

3. But the government is replanting trees, what’s your problem buddy?

So, it basically wants to cut what is 100 years old and then replant a sapling, which might give enough oxygen to save a dying Mumbai after 100 years. Excellent! It’s like removing all the old politicians from this country overnight, and putting toddlers in charge of the country. (I believe they will govern better though.)

4. Are we anti-BJP? Is there any political party involved in this?

NO. We are a volunteer group of students, artists, painters, actors, musicians, CEOs, Dalits, Adivasis, Dabbawalas, farmers – trying to make sense of this horrible idea of destroying a forest for a parking shed for a train. Whether the ruling party was BJP, Congress, AAP or any other, we would have still done this protest as we need air to breathe. PM Narendra Modi gave a speech on World Environment Day, that destruction of nature at the cost of development is dangerous and the citizens should stand against it. We are just doing that. We believe anybody who is not following this should be held accountable. Looking at what’s happening in Delhi with the toxic air (the city does not have a forest to save itself), it’s important to raise our voice NOW to save Aarey.

5 Aarey is not a forest, it’s a milk colony.

Have you been to Aarey and explored it? Dont get fooled by its area. It works, thrives and survives as a forest. It has more than 5 lakh trees, an active ecosystem, rare birds, animals, its own lakes, farms, and its own community of people. Also, have you ever seen leopards and snakes in other parks before? The forest department is deliberately concealing information and altering the facts since some time now. Almost 30% of this space has already been given for commercial projects that we know of, like for Film City, Royal Palms etc. The metro is a step towards allocating more and more land for profit.

6. If it has 5 lakh trees, cutting of 3,500 trees will make no difference. Its only 1%!

What happens if you lose an eye? Or a finger? It was easy for Dronacharya to screw Eklavya’s life by taking his shooting thumb. These 3,500 trees are that thumb. The epicentre of the earthquake in Gujarat was in Kutch, but buildings collapsed in Ahmedabad, 500 km away. Do you need more metaphors? It’s not only trees that are cut – it’s the birds, animals, surroundings, and the total ecosystem. It will be a chain reaction so horrible for this already struggling city. This will surely be the tipping point.

7. Is the government ready for a conversation? It must have valid reasons to cut Aarey, right?

NOT YET. All we are asking for is a conversation with the government, BMC, MMRCL, CM and ask them WHY Aarey?? Till now even after almost 500 days of asking the question and inviting the CM to have a conversation with us, we have heard no answers from the authorities. We understand why, as they do not have a justified answer! Why would they choose Aarey over 7 other places? WE DONT KNOW YET.

8 Are we funded by political parties opposing the BJP?
On the contrary every political party which said it stood with the citizens in their fight has deserted the cause. Citizens have contributed in every small way to raise money to save Mumbai's last remaining green space. We can barely afford the litigations cost and the lawyers who are fighting it are doing so because they too feel it is a noble cause unlike MMRCL and the Govt which engage high profile lawyers who are known to charge 11 (Eleven ) Lakhs per appearance . We do not have access to unlimited public funds to squander away to cover up illegalities.
If you cannot align with the selfless battle the citizens are engaged in, the least you can do is not malign them.
PLEASE SHARE WIDELY
#SaveAareyForest #weneedaarey #mumbaineedsAarey #AareyforMumbai#greenlungofmumbai

11.40 kms in Aarey Forest

11.40 kms in Aarey Forest, Mumbai. Weather inside the forest is at least 3 to 4 degrees lower than on the outside. Beautiful trees, fresh oxygen, serene atmosphere, chirping birds, buzzing insects, winding roads, nature at its very best. Don't know why these morons want to destroy such a beautiful forest for the purpose of their ill planned metro car shed, when there is so much land available at other place like in Kanjur Marg, plus Indian Railways has so much unutilised land. Politicians are destroying this country.