Shiv sena's doublespeak irks fishermen

Mumbai: Mumbai fishermen are upset over Shiv Sena’s doublespeak over environmental protection.

While the party is protesting against the removal of trees at Aarey for Metro 3 car shed, it is supporting the reclamation of land for the coastal road project.

“If cutting of more than two thousand trees in Aarey is a loss for the environment, then reclamation of 95 hectares is an environment loss. But the party is supporting the coastal road project that is unfair, ” said Damodar Tandel, president of Ma-harashtra Macchimar Kruti Samiti.

The Rs 14,000 Coastal Road project is an ambitious project of the Shiv Sena-led Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). However, the project has been encountering strong protests from South Mumbai residents and activists who cite irreparable losses to marine ecology due to the reclamation and lack of scientific study.

The fishermen have also joined the protest citing loss to their livelihood.

Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray, who is quite vocal about his opposition to the metro car shed at Aarey, had earlier met residents of South Mumbai to convince them about the viability of the project.

“Under the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972, fishes and corals are also to be protected. For any project relating to the sea, a Central Marine Fisheries report is needed which the BMC has not obtained,” Mr Tandel added.