Setback for 'Save Aarey' Campaigners As Bombay HC Dismisses Petitions Against Felling of Over 2,700 Trees

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis had said the Supreme Court has already clarified that the land does not come under forest or bio-diversity and said such permission (for Metro car shed) can be given.

A boy holds a poster as he protests against the destruction of Aarey forest which they call "Mumbai's Amazon", after the government approved cutting down 2,700 trees for constructing a metro train car shed, in Mumbai on September 22, 2019. (Photo/AFP)

Mumbai: In a huge setback for ‘Save Aarey’ protesters, the Bombay High Court on Friday dismissed all petitions against the cutting of over 2,500 trees for a Metro car shed project. Activists have been campaigning against the proposed cutting of 2,700 trees of Aarey forest to accommodate a Metro car shed project, the sprawling green belt of Mumbai. Last month, megastar Amitabh Bachchan faced criticism for expressing his support for metro construction in Mumbai calling it "faster, convenient and most efficient" and a "solution for Pollution". Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said it is the government's land which does not fall under a forest area. On Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray's opposition to the proposed felling of over 2,600 trees in the leafy colony, Fadnavis said objections were invited when the decision to set up the car depot for Metro III project in Aarey was taken, reported PTI. Fadnavis said the Supreme Court has already clarified that the land does not come under forest or bio-diversity and said such permission (for Metro car shed) can be given. When it was decided to set up a Metro car depot on the proposed site, the government had planted 23,000 trees in the area, the chief minister had said