Eco India: In a rapidly urbanising Mumbai, can its green lung, Aarey be saved?

Every week, Eco India brings you stories of innovations from across India and Europe, and the people who make them possible. Our top story on Eco India this week looks at why it is important to protect the Aarey ecosystem to prevent Mumbai from becoming an environmental liability.
**********
CREDITS:
Supervising Producer: Nooshin Mowla
Director of Photography: Omkar Phatak
Additional Camera: Manoj Gaekwad
Video Editor: Sujit Lad
Researcher: James Roy
Assistant Producers: Dewang Trivedi, Shibika Suresh
Script and Executive Producer: Sannuta Raghu
**********
Eco India is a co-production between Deutsche Welle and Scroll.in. You can watch the full episodes on scroll.in/ecoindia
For more explainers, and the web’s most interesting videos - scroll.in/video/
For the latest news and analysis - scroll.in
Follow Scroll.in here -
Facebook: / scroll.in
Twitter: / scroll_in
Instagram: / scroll_in

[@chandrasekarathreya2995]

This channel really does produce the best content I’ve seen coming out of any Indian news outlets - television, paper or online.

[@shivanshgupta6402]

Even without being very educated , that man said suck a great thing , vikas is also trees and plants not just metro and they are destroying the oxygen i am saving for my child !!

[@vst1610]

@@bhumir9618 It's called a typo.

[@shivanshgupta6402]

@Mohd Idris Ahmed so true brother .

[@TheINDIANHULK]

Yeah that's why all Muslims are born genius and prefer to go to madrasaa instead of getting proper schooling. U know?

[@TheINDIANHULK]

@Mohd Idris Ahmed good job no need to go to school go to madrasaa instead. You'll be even wiser.

[@Randomvideos-yr6cc]

@@TheINDIANHULK how many trees does other mumbai residents planted ohh00000. Atleast he is saving trees while mumbai residents not even saving.

[@sagarbhamare5548]

If the Tiger or say any carnivorous animal enters in human settlements he is termed Maneater and is shot dead(Though the animals were the pre-habitat of the land).Now the Humans are encroaching wildlife habitat.From whom should they seek justice?Is this the rule of law?Don't animals enjoy the right to life with dignity?....Let's not forget we are just a part of nature and not whole of nature...

[@darkmatter2255]

This is what justice is basically "Baised"

[@drmeghanabagalkotkar.official]

Population control is the only solution . Strict population laws are essential

[@vibinkingofpop]

Mumbai should consider delhi as an example .. how they are fighting for basic clean air every day .. if these forests are cut down mumbai's condition will be worst than delhi

[@sagarbeliever8194]

Wt abt the tropic pdoblem? Even a lot of air pollution will be controlles since most of them use metro

[@ashmakmoon8833]

@@sagarbeliever8194 First go to school and learn how ecosystem works. Later we will solve the "tropic" problem together.

[@kushal4956]

building a metro will actually help the pollution problem

[@akashdaund4767]

Modi is only seeing gujratis... Y such kind of people rule india if he oly cares for gujrat then he should not be pm of india... Now the govt is changed in Maharashtra this issue will again take fire... Lets do chipko movement... Then lets see what will this dictator do

[@shivanshgupta6402]

How do u manage to make such good videos everyday ???!!!!!!

[@shivanshgupta6402]

@@ravin2363 ya ,my bad , thanks

[@shivanshgupta6402]

@@bhumir9618 kar liya correct bhai

[@yadavendrayadav7254]

Shivansh Gupta I think they have collaboration with DW documentary. You can see the logo at top left corner of the video.

[@shivanshgupta6402]

@@yadavendrayadav7254 yhh, maybe true

[@sumeet4286]

This is the reason why Gadkariji said in Parliament " people in India have to decide whether they have to invest in Environment conservation or they need Development?????????" jaab ki Gadkariji ka Son is doing business out of India unko kya lena dena future ka whether People in India will need fresh air or not????????

[@shrutiawasthi1955]

It is so important to realise that without Environment conservation the development will always be short lived and will create more problems as it will not be sustainable. So any gains will be short lived and will have consequences that will be far more expensive.

[@sujitbidve9791]

Development is not just about malls, metra, building but also the trees and farming... Eye-opening statement.

[@nazneentamboli3900]

The guy at the end has such inspiring views ! really thought provoking...can we please unite and support this cause on a big scale?

[@AbhinavKhajuriaAK]

His words sow a seed in my heart "Development means also the growth of flora and fauna". I would like my country to develop also in this sector. The growth of flora and fauna.

[@Biscoffbabe9]

Beautiful! Thank you for making these videos! Love to start my day with them ❤️

[@kittykitty4033]

sad😓😓 same situation here in arunachal , every year govt is cutting down thousands of trees .

[@hiteshj2110]

Today they build metro for future development, next they will send their kids out with masks.

[@nehakhandelwal1387]

Now we know. 💔

[@omkarbuddhe1783]

Not kids they themselves

[@AkashMishra23]

You predicted the future

[@SunilPatil-hb2ou]

I remember about simple warli people from "Balbharati" where they had to run from one place to other to make tea for the social worker who wrote the book about them. They never fade from my figments of memory & imagination....but they are...slowly and slowly... In the "shor of city"....

[@garnetgun]

Even after court's stay order, they were cutting down the trees for the metro shed. And now the coastal road's work has started, again despite the court's stay order on it. I came back home to Andamans last week and the scene is same here, mountains and trees are chopped down, catchment areas reclaimed. All in the name of development.

[@Randomvideos-yr6cc]

And tree's main concern is to provide oxygen and shelter, food to tribals and humans. And second they decrease the pollution.

[@avant-garde378]

I really appreciate scroll attempts for the eco sensitisation. I hope your channel touch great heights. Your content is always up to the mark.

[@YoutubeFan-bc8vy]

😔😔😔this is so sad... this forest is the lifeline of Mumbai..

[@AmmyCrate]

Thanks for sharing this here ! I have been the part of the environmentalist group which are trying to protect Aarey !! Vikas toh jungle bhi h 💕 really a deep line by his heart. I as a mumbaikar wont want a single tree to be harnessed in any area ! Insan ko adjust krna sikhna chahiye jo khud gandagi failata not the TREES and NATURE ABIDED CREATURES which rather helps in cleaning the pollution shit done by humans!!

[@sriram129]

I don't know why there are increasing roads / infrastructure without having a check on individual transport like cars. Learn from Singapore. Calculating carbon equivalent is mean also who will replace the ecology.

[@Mysticalmandy88]

The most beautiful words “Vikas isn’t only malls, metro and bullet trains but saving our forests too”

[@eshwarchate4492]

We can live without metro but not without trees and it's products. To save the earth we have to save the trees and plantations.

[@sohelshaikh-zh2dk]

I am ready to sacrifice my life to save forests. I urge all the mumbaikar's to unite and save SGNP. Ata nahi tar kadhi nahi.

[@nikhilthakare3705]

Thank you eco India. Because of you, we aware of real situations in India. Every man should be thinking like you. Greenery is the future and some peoples are spoiling there future.

[@Randomvideos-yr6cc]

And people can use two wheelers for solving traffic issue.

[@prachij.6382]

We have to understand that there are two types of infrastructure for Bharat. Infra for cites are like skyscrapers, metro, highways etc and Infra for villages are like forests, farms, animals ( a kind of traditional lifestyle ) And don't judge them as developed or developing bcoz happiness is more valuable than this.

[@parulsharma4070]

I am so obliged and lucky to be a citizen of North India (Himachal Pradesh)

[@haronmenezes4562]

The only way the Forest can be saved is by Installing a Holy site over there. The Maharashtra Govt. Will be compulsed to not come around the area as it's a Holy site.And cutting of the trees will incur the wrath of Right Winger's.😅 Kinda works like a defense mechanism.

[@NarinderSinghHere]

Good idea but it is likely that with a holy site in place, human movement would increase manifold there and subsequently deforestation will happen to accommodate and cater the pilgrims. Look at historical accounts of such temples, shrines, mosques et al around the world for comparison.

[@ravin2363]

Irfan Sheikh well that is true actually but who will do that. The problem is, most marathi people don't even know the values and principles Shivaji adopted. They are fooled into believing anything shiv sena, bjp, etc propagate.

[@anujarora4413]

we have been hearing and talking about sustainable development since our childhood but unfortunately there is no such thing. The ground reality says something else.

[@rockingmudassir]

Salute to the wise words of wisdom for the respected gentleman explaining in the end of the video.

[@maharshipatel4591]

PRAKASH BHOIR salam hai aap ke soch ko, aap jaise soch nahi, to mumbai nahi!

[@shash3391]

Amazing video scroll! You guys are doing great

[@manasranjansahu4309]

The man was just compared forest with bank..it's just wow

[@ruchipatrol]

I feel sorry for Maharashtrian government. It's highly corrupt, money moved and insensible.

[@gauravjaiswal2150]

We also need to save the nature while developing a city.bcoz climate also effect peoples mind that if they should be in the city or not. Good video 👍👍👍

[@conradlobo3956]

What that man said at 7:20 are words of true wisdom.

[@souravprajapati4578]

Do you know Any activists in navi mumbai would love to join

[@maharshipatel4591]

first grow trees then cut the other trees, they just say we plant soo many trees all made up

[@arupmandal9963]

Why people not aware about this. Why not raise your voice

[@VikramKumar-fl5fd]

The man at the last won my heart.. :)

[@rajeshprasadh3717]

Scroll.in is doing a fantastic job Thanks for your work

[@deep232]

This is cost of development, just think if some day they come to your apartment & take it in the name of development. Non of the politicians will ever lost there house due to development

[@user-dz4ty5df3d]

Please plant more trees and save this beautiful, abundant, green forest

[@sukumarpandaphilosophy383]

Scroll.in u guys doing a great job... Keep doing that... I think scroll. in most underrated channel in KZbin...

[@mehekdarbar7640]

My uncle's house is opposite arey colony, it's a huge 45 floor tower . I grew up visiting arey colony and it's beautiful . I was devastated when the government deforested for the metro shed. After the trees were cut down , few months later the government decided to change the location of shed . The government doesn't care for these forest , they only care about money

[@getttganesh]

Nice content, Loving this series It gives me hope.

[@ashmakmoon8833]

Forest is based on a delicate balance. Relocating plants and trees does not create or relocate forests, does it? I wish this Gupta guy was educated enough to understand this.

[@aquaanjy]

What is the update regarding this???

[@yashasbedarkar9496]

Why not use alternate spaces for the depot? Please throw some light on this.

[@AdventureAficionado_VR]

Why don't they build the whole metro underground ?

[@vaibhavgupta20]

cost probably.

[@arno557]

Cuz there are waterpipe lines underground and we need to change the whole system to build that and type of soil also comes into consideration

[@madonnashaban166]

But they are just constructing a carshed which can b constructed at any barren land if govt tries

[@zorro9838]

Highlight of this video , last protion,whatever he said is truth.

[@rashn2065]

If the metro does not expand the pollution will keep rising because of the traffic. Cutting down some part of this green cover is imp for metro development but Govt should seek out alternatives for rehabilitation of these people living there and also plant more trees than they have cut.

[@rbmayur2682]

Good job Scroll... Shame on Gov and each one of us to torn apart our environment... This is not just story of Aarey.. Aravali Mountain range is also in great danger...

[@ravin2363]

Mayur Bawaskar yes I read one report about it. Aravli is being destroyed for construction material every day. Even I observed it outside jaipur city.

[@maddymohan4203]

Greedy politician and businessmen Nexus is in the root of all this evil

[@javadoctor101]

Honestly..this is what a news outlet should look like..not like stupid aaj tak and cnbc with all their bs..

[@shalder8320]

7:35 that man said some golden words

[@vov-voiceofvictims]

It is metro to reduce cars on road he says !and to reduce pollution ! How long will it take for the cars to increase in no again as new cars keep coming in ? Another five years? And then will they build another metro ? Unless it is stopped no matter what ...eco system can never be preserved . And it is not as though we are talking about trees and animals . It is needed for us too to maintain our health. And relocation of trees will never give even reasonably good results . We have seen in small towns . It is just sl better than an eyewash . A good balance will be to first develop another event system first atleast another 50 acres and when it is stable ..then to take 30 acres for a metro .

[@BipulKumarDas]

Nicely reporting..

[@buzzlight1639]

It's not development it's distruction..he is very true

[@lavender239]

I think they should not proceed with this plan. Many family are going to suffer, are they not thinking about that. Planting trees and growing them isn't easy job, they are cutting down and giving there excuses... Development doesn't mean deforestation... India need change,change in preserving and planting .. 🙏

[@brianaranha8967]

How can we help scroll.in?

[@jackyyyy1460]

I really wanted someone to address this issue mainstream media now is nowhere to be found on these type of fragile topics ,I'm thankful that you addressed this issue

[@vizx8574]

Can they make a multi level metro parking ?

[@ksearcher4623]

I like Mumbai people not only comment but act on the situation

[@anuragmehtadeveloper]

great work

[@nirjadeshmukh3963]

True.. Vikas is not malls and metros.. vikas toh jungle aur trees bhi hai !

[@simi25181]

#Stopkilling nature forest trees mountains and indigenous peoples... #saveforest

[@krishnakumariyer260]

They have not given adequate compensation to the people who were living there..shame on the Metro director and government

[@santoshmanaguli9782]

now same as mumbai is turning in delhi, pune is also getting turned into mumbai and slowly it will also get turned in delhi

[@maheshsmith3858]

Prakash bhoir bhai head off to you 👏

[@madhusai7021]

Why upgrade mumbai, Adjust the city within range.

[@aadityaunni8202]

Human cannot win against Nature 🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿

[@neelamdatta3747]

Mumbai's problem is it's uncontrolled population.

[@jayeshmonlbs]

isnt it possible to build underground metro??

[@pahadiyatri3799]

Pls don't destroy the forest...Plz Plz Plz..Plz Govt don't do this...Plz save it...

[@ashmakmoon8833]

If it is only 33 acres of forest land, why don't the government officials donate their property for building the same? Now 33 acre suddenly sound like a lot, right?

[@user-fq3yb8mq5t]

Growing population is root cause if that is not the case maybe extension of metro was also not needed

[@AmanYadav-Railway]

I love scroll, because my day start by scroll's video

[@tohmainkyakaroon]

@5:40 the Director of the Metro shamelessly does a bait and switch. He starts talking about the entire Metro project instead of the Car Shed that he says will affect 6000 trees - Does he not realise that by relocating the Car Shed these 6000 trees will be saved PLUS the benefits of the Metro he is talking about??? Why is he so desperate to relocate trees and destroy a living breathing ecosystem instead of relocating the Car Shed????? Activists & Citizens are NOT AGAINST Metro. They are AGAINST Car Shed that will destroy Aarey.

[@DanielkaElliott]

also building new infrastructure for cars ( instead of pedestrians and bikes) will only increase the amount of cars.

[@prasadkarsharma5849]

we should develop our tourism sector .it is also development .not metro car shade in dense forest and destroy all those flora and fauna .

[@bollywoodviralvideo1015]

Good work

[@ak-gi5dr]

What he forgets is that 2.6 lakh tonnes for the whole metro line..but the small part of metro will not effectively give as much benefits..so the trees will still win

[@parulsharma4070]

Also take Bhutan as a example It is our neighborhood country and it is the only carbon negative country with 70% of forest area

[@tkskoya]

Trees are cut already!!!

[@the_funny_dreamer4774]

This problem is everywhere i am from himachal and construction is destroying it

[@jaihind116]

Amazing

[@deepakpratapgangwar583]

Gud video

[@neerajbhandari2238]

Keep it up👍👍👍👍

[@ravin2363]

Aareey forest is the only thing that has kept air breathable in Mumbai other than the constant air circulation due to sea. One can get a beautiful view of the forest from Kanheri Caves inside the national park. Most dangerous issue here is that government has not taken any EIA(environmental impact assessment) testing or the social impact assessment before taking up the project. Forest rights as per the forest rights act has also been ignored. Relocation or transplantation has proved a failure across the world with only 10-15% of survival rate. Similarly another project by maharashtra government is the stupid statue project that is going to kill the already dying sea at the coast of Mumbai.

[@suchandrapayal2078]

Seriously Govt. Should not acquire forest anymore.

[@SanaKhan-ol7se]

After few years we have to by oxygen also

[@freesoul9251]

The question is, why governments are turning blind on environmental issues while one of their own department has responsibilities toward it ??? Why common public's concern is lost even when they have the power of vote ???

[@bharatAV]

Why don’t they make an underground metro depot under the forest so that the trees don’t get cut?

[@hanselxyb5825]

I dont get it. Why cant they just shift people from one huge slum area into one or more huge multi storied buildings and build a metro depot in that area?

[@Nivedrana]

In the name of development they will one day destroy whole forest is this development we need where one day we will not have pure air pure water for future generations

[@anantaberiha]

Save nature

[@santoshmanaguli9782]

mast

[@wearethem7402]

❤️

[@manjeetgupta1061]

Why you all are only heading for the work of metro where were you all when royal palm complex and much more have been build up in aarey colony there are much more building build up over there no one stood up for that and that has occupied more then thrice the area of metro car shield, m not say that you are wrong but why only at the time of metro and development of india, why not to the builder's who had made buildings and for this who had purchased flats

[@yashflute1423]

Very good point.

[@islandsunset]

I tried searching Aarey Forest in Google maps. I was disappointed with what I saw.

[@yashflute1423]

My home....both government and there residential people are destroying aarey colony Forest.