Aarey protests: No more cutting of trees, says SC; seeks afforestation report from Maharashtra

The tree-cutting began amid protests Friday night after the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition challenging the corporation’s decision to allow felling of 2,185 trees and transplantation of 460 for the project.

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Protests have been taking place against the construction of a car shed for the Mumbai Metro at the colony for two years (AP)

A special bench of the Supreme Court Monday stayed cutting of trees in Mumbai’s Aarey colony till its next hearing on October 21.

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Calling the felling of trees illegal, the bench said, “Aarey forest was a no-development zone and not eco-sensitive zone as claimed by petitioner.” It also sought an afforestation report from the Maharashtra government.

A special bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Ashok Bhushan was set up after a group of law students wrote to the Chief Justice requesting that the top court intervene to stop the cutting of trees immediately.

The tree-cutting began amid protests Friday night after the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition challenging the corporation’s decision to allow felling of 2,185 trees and transplantation of 460 for the project.