Dabbawalas join battle to save Aarey’s trees

Citizens worried about the fate of Mumbai’s biggest freely accessible green space — Aarey Milk Colony — have now decided to seek divine intervention. Dabbawalas in the city along with other citizens will be joining the Aarey Conservation Group (ACG) on May 14, Sunday morning for a padyatra starting from Dadar.

“We have organised a padyatra that will begin from Shivaji Park on Sunday heading to Siddhivinayak temple and from there on we will move to Haji Ali Dargah at Worli, Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurudwara at Dadar East and then culminate the walk at the Holy Family Church at Andheri East,” said Amrita Bhattaacharjee member of ACG

The group visited the Dabbawalas in the city to join the social cause of preventing the trees from getting axed. Extending a helping hand, Subhash Talekar, Spokeperson and President of Dabbawala Association, said, “Even we want to see development in the city but not by seeing over 5,000 trees getting chopped down for a metro project. Since it a holiday, dabbawalas from across the city will also be joining the march to show their support.

Trees can’t speak for themselves, we will have to speak on their behalf.”

The group is inviting citizens to join them in huge numbers. “Trees, forest, nature are God’s gift and it needs to be protected It is time we all unite to save our precious forest and green space,” added Bhattaacharjee.

Another member from ACG said that they were using all the means including social media to spread the word. 

“It is sad that the Shiv Sena, who had promised us full support during the Municipal elections has now suddenly gone quiet about the issue but we will not give up as if we lose Aarey it will be the loss for our future generation. Since its the issue of Mumbai we as Mumbaikars need to show the strength of our numbers to every political party,” said the member.