Aarey: Trees cut only for development, says Maharashtra's Forest Min

Senior BJP leader and Maharashtra's Minister of Forests Sudhir Mugantiwar has commented on the felling of trees in Aarey - over which a stay has been issued by the Supreme Court. The Minister states that he is of the same belief as to that of the protesters: “I too am of the same opinion that no trees should be cut and it is only for development that trees are cut.” He further stated that depending on the orders that will be issued by the Supreme Court the Government of Maharashtra will take the appropriate action. 

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Mungatiwar: Government will honour the decision of the Supreme Court

Mugantiwar, remarking on the Supreme Court's order to stay the felling of trees, said that “with regards to Aarey the orders that have been given by the Supreme Court,  the government will provide an appropriate response.” The Minister of Forests added,“the government will honour the decision made by the Supreme Court."

READ| Shiv Sena Responds To SC's Aarey Status Quo, Says 'sign Of Relief'

SC ordered the status quo be maintained on the cutting of the trees 

In a big relief to environmental activists throughout the country, the Supreme Court on Monday in a special hearing ordered status quo be maintained on the cutting of the trees in the Aarey region of Mumbai. The bench comprising of Justices Arun Mishra and Justice Ashok Bhushan was hearing the plea seeking a stay on the cutting of over 2600 trees in Aarey, Mumbai for construction of a Metro car shed. A letter written by law students from Noida was converted into a public interest litigation by the Supreme Court after taking suo moto cognisance of the matter a day earlier. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Maharashtra government while former ASG Maninder Singh appeared for the BMRC with Senior advocate Sanjay Hedge and Gopal Sankarnarayan appearing for the petitioners and the students. 

The SC also went on to direct the government to immediately release any of the protestors who had been arrested over the past few days. The SC will now take up the matter for hearing on October 21. Till then, the Maharashtra government has been ordered to ensure no cutting of trees will take place.

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READ| Bombay HC Rejects Plea Seeking Stay On Felling Of Trees In Aarey