Aarey case: Forest dept seeks more time

For the third time in a row on Monday, the Forest department failed to provide survey numbers of forestland identified in 1997, post which the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Pune bench adjourned the matter to April 20.

The tribunal is hearing a plea filed by Vanashakti, an NGO seeking the declaration of Aarey as an eco-sensitive zone and disallowance of the building of a car shed for Metro III (Colaba-Bandra-Seepz) at Aarey. In fact, the hearing on Monday was being touted as the final hearing, but as soon as it started, the Forest department asked for four weeks' time to get all the necessary information, a move opposed by Vanashakti.

The NGO had last submitted documents, including a 37-year-old correspondence that stated that except for 575 hectares, the entire Aarey land of 2,000 hectares was transferred from Aarey to the forest department in 1969. However, the forest department had stated in its affidavit that 1,280 hectares of Aarey colony was not forestland, and was being used for non-forest activities since 1949. It was asked to submit a list of survey numbers that identified Aarey as non-forestland.

"It's extremely shocking that the Forest department cannot produce records that it is custodian of the land, and it instead keeps asking for more time. This is the third time the matter has been adjourned. We suspect foul play as the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) has been arm-twisting activists and has begun work inside Aarey,' alleged Biju Augustine, member of Aarey Conservation Group (ACG) that has been protesting the Metro car shed. Meanwhile, activists who have been waiting with bated breath for the final order in the matter, say they will keep fighting tooth and nail as destruction of Aarey would mean losing the city's last green lung. Activists also seem to be upset with the Shiv Sena, which had mentioned saving of Aarey on its BMC election manifesto, but has not been seen taking any stand.