Trees in Aarey plantation site to be axed

Mumbai: Some trees in the designated plantation site of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) in Aarey Milk Colony were recently marked for cutting for the Metro-3 project. Citizens and activists have expressed shock that the MMRC has proposed the cutting of trees within its own transplantation site. The trees are among the 444 plants proposed to be chopped to make way for an exit ramp, setting up an electricity pylon, a road diversion plot, a casting yard and a launching shaft in Aarey Colony.

Activists have claimed that around 10 grown trees were seen with cutting notices pasted on them. “The trees that are proposed to be chopped for car depot-related activities are among the same trees that were planted as a compensation of trees affected by the carshed. They were planted by them in 2015 and now when they have grown, they are cutting then. They were supposed to maintain them for five years,” said Zoru Bhathena, a green activist.

Meanwhile, the MMRC has maintained that a few trees being affected by car depot-related activities is unavoidable. “MMRC, being a responsible government organisation, conducts its activities in conformity with the approval of the tree authority of the

MCGM within its framework and permission.

The land where MMRC had earlier transplanted trees is a separate land plot, which is absolutely different from where some trees have been affected due to construction work.

Notices have been pasted on trees that are from pylon shifting areas and ramp and these areas are different from that of our plantation area. It is to be appreciated that affecting a bare minimum number of trees for car depot-related activities is unavoidable,” said a spokesperson.