Bombay High Court on Wednesday has asked Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited to file ir reply to a petition filed against cutting down of trees in Aarey Forest. petition was filed by Zoru Darius challenging Tree authority's decision to cut down 2646 trees in Aarey forest. petition said that Tree Authority, which comes under  MCGM, issued a public tice asking people for suggestions and objections from members of public on a proposal by MMRCL (Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd) seeking removal of 2702 trees at Aarey on June 30, 2019.

One lakh citizens object

According to petition, over one lakh citizens filed objections to Tree authority's proposal. An official at Tree Authority had said that authority had arranged for a public meeting which was attended by petitioner and 500 or people to raise ir voices against decision on July 08, 2019.

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Tree authority proposed fewer trees be cut

Tree authority held a meeting on August 29 and proposed 2646 trees be cut and 461 replanted. said number is a reduction of only 56 trees from original proposal. proposal was n passed permitting removal of 2646 trees at Aarey with a majority of 8 to 6 votes.

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petition alleges Aarey proposal passed fraudulently

petition filed by Zoru Darius has challenged tree authority's decision. It has also stated that proposal to cut Aarey trees has been passed with fraudulent methods. It also said that proposal of cutting down Aarey trees has been around 2014 but was eir postponed or withdrawn in account of strong opposition. matter was heard by a divisional bench, consisting of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Bharati Dangre.

Aarey forest issue has been a topic of concern for Mumbaikars. Multiple projects have come up in recent years. se projects include Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation project, car shed project, and ar project sanctioned by Force One Group.  projects affect over 27 hamlets in area. For more than three years environmentalists, residents, and various groups have been fighting to save Aarey forest which is also kwn as Mumbai's lungs.

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