Activists find unique way to protest against tree-cutting in Mumbai, demand 'environment manifestos'

Environmental activists and citizens of Mumbai gathered at Marine Drive on Saturday to protest against tree-cutting in the city by forming a human chain to raise their concern. Amidst the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, they demanded the political parties to include environmental issues in their election manifestos.

"This chain is the city's way of declaring that its citizens will not vote for any party that does not address environmental concerns in its manifesto for Lok Sabha elections," said Amrita Bhattacharjee, a senior member of the Aarey Conservation Group (ACG) while speaking to news agency PTI. The chain included wildlife conservation activists, students, children from various NGOs.

Singer Anushka Manchanda actively supported this initiative named 'United for change', with the slogan 'a human chain for Environment Manifesto'. 

"We want to save the only green lungs of the city," Bhattacharjee said, referring to Aarey Colony where trees are being chopped due to the Metro rail construction.

"And why only Mumbai city, environment-related issues in the entire country should be addressed with a top priority," Bhattacharjee added.

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Advocate Abhishek Bhatt, another activist, said, "measures for protection of ecology do not feature in any political agenda across the country." Tribals from the Warli community who live inhabits mainly in the Aarey forest area also became the part of the human chain.

Take a look at some of the visuals of the initiative by the citizens of Mumbai to save the environment:

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(With PTI inputs)