It's about the ecosystem not about victories: Thackeray

Aarey I not jut about 2700 tree, it about the ecoytme"., said Shiv
Sena youth president Aaditya Thackeray whose party is a part of
the government constructing the Metro, while Speaking at the
India Today Conclave 2019 Mumbai. Thackeray has openly
opposed the carshed that is supposed to come up in a part of
Mumbai's Aarey Forest.

in support of his stand on the disputable and arguable Mumbai

Metro project that has ignited a row over the need to fell trees for
a carshed.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave Mumbai 2019, Fadnavis

defended the project. "We have a rehabilitation plan in place. The
Metro will mitigate carbon footprint. All environment assessments
done," Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis also said that the area where the car depot has been
proposed does not fall under any protected or restricted zone. "It
is open government land."

The chief minister also said the government plans to plant a large
number of trees to mitigate impact of felling trees for the Metro
project.

hiv Sena youth president Aaditya Thackeray defended his stand

on the controversial Mumbai Metro project that has sparked a
huge row over the need to fell trees for a carshed. Thackeray has
openly opposed the carshed that is supposed to come up in a part
of Mumbai's Aarey Forest.

Activists have strongly opposed the felling of trees and the issue
has divided Mumbai

The Aarey area, at the centre of a raging protest over felling of trees for a
Mumbai metro depot, cannot be given a forest tag "just because it has
greenery", the Maharashtra government told the Bombay High Court on
Thursday.

Aarey Forest. These lush green oases in a sea of grey, not only tackle
pollution and floods but also help bring down temperatures.

But unfortunately Mumbai stands to lose this forest due to various

upcoming projects.

The first of these, which will open up this green lung to commercialization,
is a car shed for the upcoming Mumbai Metro 3, which is being funded by
the Japanese company, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
with 57% of the project cost , which is about 2,036 Million $. A car shed is
nothing but a parking lot and service area for metro trains.

Government records show that Aarey is an integral part of Sanjay gandhi

National Park and thus protected under forest laws. It has over 5 Lakh
trees, it is home to 9 resident leopards and has a rich biodiversity of flora
and fauna. Even today, original adivasis (indigenous inhabitants of this
area) live in 27 tribal hamlets in Aarey. It offers a unique experience for
urban dwellers to experience nature at it's best. “In the name of
development, only tribals suffer” said one of the leaders. The Save Aarey
campaign has been requesting the government to relocate the carshed to
an alternative location. Relocation will not affect the metro 3 alignment in
any way. Common citizens from all walks of life, professionals, students,
school children, celebrities have supported this issue.