Axing Endless: Another Cut in Aarey for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road

Following the announcement of the removal of 1,406 trees for the construction of its car shed in Bhayander-West for the Mumbai Metro Line 9 Project, Mumbai appears to be facing the wrath of another such destruction planned for what is known as the "lungs of Mumbai," due to its green spaces and biodiversity. 

Recently, the Tree Authority (TA) of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has applied to the Supreme Court to seek directions to cut down 1,134 trees in Film City for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project.  

According to reports, the GMLR project aims to develop road connectivity between the Western Express Highway and the Eastern Express Highway, which will ultimately reduce travel time between Mulund and Goregaon. There are twin tunnels that are part of the GMLR, a 5.3km stretch between Film City and Goregaon, and Khindipada (Amar Nagar), Mulund.

However, the announcement does not fall well on the ears of the citizens, who have always aimed at protecting the forests of Aarey Colony. While Zoru Bhathena, a social activist who has also worked towards the conservation of Aarey Forest in the past, has not reviewed the papers, he says, “The basic issue is that our forests need to be protected and not have roads being built through them.”

“The GMLR is being built as a tunnel under the Forest, with the stated intention to protect the forest at the surface. Yet, it is clear they are not,” he further says.

The Tree Authority (TA), while mentioning that the SC had directed in January that the trees should not be cut without its permission, has also submitted that the area falls within Aarey village, not the Aarey Milk Colony. As the application reads, "For digging the pit structure, it is required to clear the ground in the process, a certain number of trees need to be felled. 

Another conservationist, Stalin D., the Director of non-profit organisation Vanshakti, which played a key role in the ‘Save Aarey Movement’, says, “The attempt to make inroads into green zones using the pretext of urgent public infrastructure is despicable and deplorable. There is no attempt made to avoid the damage and seek alternatives.”

“In reality”, he adds, “these roads are made just to make nearby lands available for construction projects in future. There is no need for any new road to be made, and the needless slaughter of trees can and must be avoided.”

The reports also mention that, owing to the shifting of the launching shaft location, there will be a 40% increase in the number of trees to be felled. The primary reason for shifting the shaft was to avoid relocating the Habalepada, a tribal hamlet.

Dr. Sarita Subramaniam, who has worked closely within the tribal hamlets under a free project related to health and sanitation, states that while everyone is concerned about the trees to be cut, most don’t see the destruction of the habitat living in and around the trees.

“Most living creatures around the trees to be cut, not only lose their habitats, but they also don’t get to survive once their trees are cut. We will hear that there would be compensatory afforestation for the number of trees cut; however, the authorities don’t say or commit to replenishing the sustainable ecosystems they destroy when they cut trees,” she says. 

The excavation will require 95 trees to be cut, and the authorities have sought permission to fell these in phase 1.