City residents team up to oppose tree cut nod
The protests were witnessed across Churchgate, Bandra, Andheri, Thane and Dadar.
Mumbai: Citizens and activists dedicated the latest ‘Friday for Future’ movement to the Aarey cause, expressing their disappointment with the approval given for removing 2,702 trees from Aarey Milk Colony.
Mumbai has been witnessing the ‘Friday for Future’ movement since March this year, on the lines of global campaign initiated by 16-year-old Swedish schoolgirl and activist Greta Thunberg.
The protests were witnessed across Churchgate, Bandra, Andheri, Thane and Dadar. Around 100 citizens from all walks of life came with banners and demanded the reversal of the decision.
“This movement is important as we are highlighting the need to save Aarey forests. We have received good response from people,” said Lalita Deonalli, a resident of Bandra, who attended the event at Churchgate.
Many students were also seen protesting at Thane station, holding banners castigating the authorities for allowing the removal of the trees to make way for the Metro 3 car shed.
“The trees that are being cut are very old and new plantation at the site cannot compensate for the damage. It is about the environment for the present as well as future generations,” said 18-year-old Mohit Chandel.
Meanwhile, celebrities also showed their support for the protests.
Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda tweeted, "This is really sad news. What can we helpless citizens do. We cry over Amazon fires and watch this destruction in our own backyard rather quietly? What should we do? @narendramodi @Dev_Fadnavis @HardeepSPuri @PiyushGoyal. Is there someone listening ? #SaveAareyForest (sic).”