Construction has commenced on a 3,747-meter-long boundary wall in Mumbai's Aarey Milk Colony for safeguarding 812 acres of designated forested area. The Public Works Department (PWD) is overseeing the project. Allegations of tree damage by locals prompted forest department investigations, finding no evidence of harm. While wildlife enthusiasts welcome the protective measure, green activists criticizes the construction, citing hindrance to animal movement and the fact that walls or any such construction is not allowed in an Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ)/Forest area.
In a move to shield the designated 812 acres of forested area in Aarey Milk Colony from encroachment, authorities in Mumbai have initiated the construction of a boundary wall. The Public Works Department (PWD) is overseeing the project. Range Forest Officer (RFO) Narendra Muthe from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) emphasized the need for utmost care to avoid tree damage during the construction process. Spanning approximately 3,747 meters in Aarey Milk Colony, the compound wall construction is a preventative measure. Construction began at unit number 32. Recently, local residents alleged tree damage during the wall's construction, prompting a forest department investigation. However, officials found no evidence of tree destruction, allaying concerns. The ongoing struggle against illegal encroachments threatening the forest cover has been consistently highlighted by the media. In 2020, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government announced its intention to declare the Aarey patch a reserve forest, earning applause from nature lovers and environmentalists. However, concerns about encroachment persisted, prompting calls for heightened forest patrols. The forest department conducts foot patrols in the area, with staff available round the clock in strategically located protection huts. The boundary wall, spanning 3,747 meters, remains a focal point in the efforts to safeguard Aarey's green cover. As construction progresses, the delicate balance between protecting the environment and addressing legal and environmental concerns unfolds on the single largest green patch of the Mumbai landscape.
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