The Supreme Court has stayed the cutting of trees till 15 November, when the matter will be heard next. However, the SC added that no tree will be cut in the whole of 1280 hectares. However, the court maintained that there will be no stay of activities beyond tree-felling.
Incidentally, the SC hearing resumes on the same day as the Maharashtra Assembly polls.
“No future tree-felling activity at the car shed site in Aarey Milk Colony will be undertaken. Other works, including clearing of already felled trees, will continue at the site,” the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRC) said said, adding that “as on date, 2,141 trees have been felled.”
- A special bench constituted by SC asked the Maharashtra government to release all activists arrested in the case and maintain status quo until the next hearing on 21 October
- Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar refused to comment on the apex court’s ruling, saying he would not like to comment on a sub judice matter
- Maharashtra government partially relaxed Section 144 in the area on Monday
- 29 protesters arrested for ‘disturbing public order’ and ‘obstructing government officials’, were granted bail on Sunday
SC Stays Tree-Cutting Till 15 November, But Not Metro Project
The Supreme Court has stayed the cutting of trees till 15 November, adding that no tree will be cut in the whole of 1280 hectares. However, the court maintained that there will be no stay of activities beyond tree-felling.
Activists Warn of Tree-Cutting Beyond 33 Hectares
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves informed the judges that many of the transplanted trees had died, contesting the authorities' contention that “everything was going fine.”
Some of the environmental activists are arguing that the authorities are planning to cut trees in a different part of Aarey forest, beyond the 33 hectares area where the metro car shed is to be constructed. They have asked for the court to prevent this as well.
Aarey Tree-Cutting: Amid Maha Polls, SC to Resume Hearing Today
The Supreme Court on Monday, 21 October, will resume hearing the petitions against the felling of trees in Aarey Milk Colony in Mumbai. Earlier on 7 October, the apex court stayed the felling of trees until further orders and asked the Maharashtra government to release all the arrested activists.
“No future tree-felling activity at the car shed site in Aarey Milk Colony will be undertaken. Other works, including clearing of already felled trees, will continue at the site,” the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRC) said said, adding that “as on date, 2,141 trees have been felled.”
'Subsequent Construction Activities Will be Carried Out': MMRC After SC Order
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRC) on Monday said that it respects the order of the Supreme Court which had stayed the cutting of trees in Aarey Colony until further orders.
“No future tree-felling activity at the car shed site in Aarey Milk Colony will be undertaken. Other works, including clearing of already felled trees, will continue at the site,” the MMRC said, adding that “as on date, 2,141 trees have been felled”.
“Following the decision of High Court on 4 October upholding permission of Tree Authority, the felling of 2,185 trees was undertaken on 4 and 5 Oct 2019 and as on date, 2,141 trees have been felled. These will be cleared from the site and subsequent construction activities will be carried out.”MMRC