Mumbai : The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on Tuesday filed an affidavit before the National Green Tribunal, Pune, stating that Aarey Colony forms a part of a “proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone” around the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). As per the affidavit, the eco-sensitive zone is up to 4 km from the boundary of SGNP.
Earlier in December, the bench of NGT had directed MoEF to file their reply on whether Aarey Colony is a forest or an eco-sensitive zone. The affidavit stated: “…it has been informed by the State Government that entire Aarey Colony forms a part of the proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone around the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.” It added, “As per the proposal approved by the Competent Authority in the Ministry, the extent of the Eco-sensitive Zone is up to 4km from the boundary of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.”
Stalin D, director (projects) at Vanashakti, a non-profit organisation which had filed a petition on Aarey colony demanding it be declared No Development Zone, said, “We would like to request the Chief Minister to look at other options for car depot without disturbing nature.”
However, this move by MoEF is unlikely to disturb the plan of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) to construct a car depot or stabling lines in the Aarey Colony for its Metro-III project.
Ashwini Bhide, managing director of MMRC, said that the affidavit will not affect their plan. She countered, “We have the copy of the MoEF affidavit and it has absolutely no impact on the status of Aarey as of today. Metro Car depot is permitted activity even in eco-sensitive zone.”
Meanwhile, sources informed that a Metro car shed at Aarey Colony cannot be ruled out yet. “Aarey is still not declared an ECZ. The report of the Maharashtra government is yet to be approved by the Central government, subject to Supreme Court guidelines in the matter,” said a source close to the development. The MoEF’s affidavit too stated, “These parameters (declaration of eco-sensitive zone) are in the final stage of examination before they are filed before the Supreme Court for their approval. Once the approval is obtained then a decision to apply these parameters in the context of the Aarey land can be taken up.”
