Mumbai, October 5: Hours after the felling of trees began at the Aarey colony in Mumbai despite protests, Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar backed the move saying development is as important as preserving nature. Javadekar said the agitators must withdraw as there is no rationale behind stalling the Metro project. Once operational, the Metro would significantly tackle the release of carbon effluents in the air, he argued. Aarey Tree Cutting: 29 Arrested by Mumbai Police Amid Protest in Aarey Colony, Security Beefed Up; Here’s All That Has Happened Since Bombay HC Order.

Javadekar further added that the government is planting several saplings for each tree which would be uprooted. In a few years, the new trees would pump in more oxygen in the environment as compared to the portion of Aarey green cover being cleared for the car shade, he said.

Citing the example of Delhi Metro, Javadekar said there were protests in the national capital as well when the ambitious transport project was being planned in the national capital. But today, he added, all Delhi residents are reaping the benefits of Metro. The BJP veteran further stressed that the Delhi Metro project has instead led to rejuvenating the city's green cover as several saplings were planted for each tree uprooted.

Javadekar said the controversy in Mumbai should be put to rest after the verdict of the Bombay High Court. With judiciary refusing to stay the felling of trees, the protesters should contend that development is equally essential, he pointed out.

"The Bombay high court has ruled that it’s not a forest. When the first Delhi metro station was to be constructed, 20-25 trees were to be cut, people had protested then too, but for each tree cut, five trees were planted," he was reported as saying.

"In Delhi, 271 metro stations have been made and tree cover has also increased. This is the mantra of development and protecting the environment. Both should go together," Javadekar further added.

Meanwhile, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) was imposed in Mumbai's Aarey Colony on Saturday as hundreds of protesters reached the site in a bid to prevent the felling of trees. The protesters said that the deforestation drive should be put to a halt till at least October 11, when the matter is listed for hearing before the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 05, 2019 04:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).