Amid Maha Polls, SC Extends Stay on Aarey Tree-Cutting Till 15 Nov
Catch all the live updates on the Aarey tree-felling case here.
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”.
Union Environment Minister Javadekar Refuses to Comment on Aarey Forest Issue
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Monday, 7 October refused to comment on Supreme Court restraining authorities from cutting trees in Aarey Colony, saying he would not like to comment on a sub judice matter, according to PTI.
The environment minister, however, said, “If you cut one tree, you plant and ensure the growth of five trees.”
Asked if afforestation has worked, Javadekar replied, “In the last four years, the green cover of the country has increased by 15,000 square kilometres.”
'No More Cutting of Trees Required': Solicitor General Tells SC Bench
Representing the Maharashtra government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court on Monday, “What is required to be cut has been cut. No further cutting of trees is required.”
The special bench has stayed the cutting of of trees in Aarey Colony until further orders.
SC Bench Stays Felling of Trees Until Further Orders
A special bench, constituted by the Supreme Court, stayed the cutting of of trees in Aarey Colony until further orders on Monday, 7 October. It has also directed the Maharashtra government to release all activists arrested in the case and to maintain status quo until the next hearing on 21 October.
Aarey's Forest Status is Pending Before SC in 2018 Matter: Advocate Sankaranarayan
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayan, representing the petitioners, said that wider issues relating to whether Aarey is a forest or not is pending before the Supreme Court in a 2018 matter. He cited a notification to corroborate this.
SC Special Bench Begins Hearing Aarey Case
A special bench, constituted by the Supreme Court, has begun hearing the Aarey tree-felling case on Monday, 7 October. Earlier, on Sunday, the SC had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter.
Section 144 Partially Relaxed, Metro Site Remains Off Limits
Section 144 of the CrPC which was imposed in Mumbai’s Aarey colony on Saturday, 5 October, has been partially relaxed on Monday. The main road has been opened for vehicles but the metro site remains off limits.
SC Takes Suo Motu Cognisance of Aarey Tree-Felling Matter
The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognisance of the Aarey tree-felling matter, and a Special Bench will hear the matter on Monday, 7 October.
This came after students sent a letter to the Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi asking for his intervention. The students' representation has been now converted into a PIL, reports said.
Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray took to Twitter and said, “May truth and justice prevail for the ecosystem of Aarey!”
29 Protesters Granted Bail
The 29 protesters who were arrested from Mumbai's Aarey Colony were granted bail on Sunday.
Protesting against the cutting of trees, these people were arrested for 'disturbing public order' and 'obstructing government officials from performing their duties' under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.
11-Yr-Old Climate Activist Appeals to PM Modi Over Aarey
11-year-old climate activist Ridhima Pandey appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop the felling of trees at Aarey.
Ridhima was recently at the UN as part of the group of 16 teen climate activists, including Greta Thunberg, who have filed a petition regarding climate change.
Adv Prakash Ambedkar Detained at Powai Police Station
VBA leader and advocate Prakash Ambedkar on Sunday, 6 October, was detained at Powai police station. He was detained for his role in the protests against the tree-cutting in Aarey. He was present at Aarey this morning, from where he was detained.
Sometimes Destruction Becomes Inevitable: Mumbai Metro Chief
Mumbai Metro chief Ashwini Bhide, on Sunday 6 October said that “sometimes, to construct something new, destruction becomes inevitable but it also paves the way for new life and new creation.”
NCP Leader Jitendra Ahwad Detained by Police
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Jitendra Ahwad has been detained by Police at Aarey site.
29 Arrested Protestors Sent to Judicial Custody
Twenty-nine people who were arrested in connection with protest against cutting of trees in Mumbai's Aarey Colony have been sent to judicial custody by Borivali Court, reported ANI.
Won't Spare Those Who Murdered Trees: Uddhav Thackeray
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray warns authorities on the issue of felling of trees in Aarey Colony and said that a new government is coming to power and it will not spare those who have murdered the trees in Aarey Colony.
These Protestors Can't be Arrested: Aaditya Thackeray
Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray took to Twitter to call the Aarey controversy “shameful and disgusting” and pointed out that the deforestation at the Mumbai colony for the construction of the Metro car shed stands against everything India said about the environment at the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
'False Propaganda': Mumbai Metro Chief on 15-Day Notice Period for Tree-Felling
Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Chief Ashwini Bhide on Friday, 4 October, termed the 15 days notice period between the grant for felling of trees and carrying out the task as per the order as “false propaganda”.
“This is absolutely baseless. Tree Authority order is issued on 13th Sept 19. 15 days r over on 28th Sept. Action awaited till Hon HC verdict was out,” Bhide tweeted.
Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar Backs Aarey Tree-Felling
Union Minister of Environment Prakash Javadekar on Saturday, 5 October reiterated Bombay High Court’s ruling that Aarey is “not a forest” and defended the felling of trees in the area.
“When the first Delhi metro station was to be constructed, 20 to 25 trees were to be cut. People had protested then too, but for each tree cut, five trees were planted,” Javadekar said, according to ANI.
“In Delhi, 271 metro stations have been made and tree cover has also increased. This is development and preservation of nature,” Javadekar added.
29 People Arrested Who Were Protesting Against Cutting of Trees: Police
29 people have been arrested in connection with protest against cutting of trees in Mumbai's Aarey Colony, according to police officials, reported news agency PTI.
Those arrested are among the 60 people earlier detained, the police said.
The official also alleged that a few of the protesters had “manhandled” the police personnel deployed in Aarey Colony and “obstructed” them from discharging their duty.
Authorities Began Cutting Trees in Aarey Colony on Friday Night
Massive protests erupted in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony on the night of Friday, 4 October, after authorities began hacking trees for a metro project.
Activist Amrita Bhattacharjee told The Quint that the protestors were prevented from reaching the site, but they estimated 300-400 trees to have been cut.
Police Restrict Entry of Activists into Aarey Colony
Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed in Mumbai’s Aarey colony on Saturday, 5 October, after activists protested the cutting of trees late Friday night.
“We have imposed section 144 of the CrPC in Aarey Colony, Goregaon check post and surrounding areas," the Mumbai police spokesperson said, reported PTI.
The police also cordoned off the area and restricted the entry of people into the green zone.
Additional police personnel were called in to prevent untoward incidents, the official said.
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