MUMBAI: A day after environment minister
Aaditya Thackeray said no trees would be cut for the
Powai
lake cycle track and that “real” green activists and environmentalists have already seen and discussed the project, activists alleged the plan is a “road to destruction”.
Several green activists on Wednesday held a press conference and demanded that all construction work for the project be stopped immediately.
“This is not a cycle track project but a road project and this is nothing but a road to destruction. The so-called cycle track is close to 8 metres wide. Nowhere in the world do they have cycle tracks that are so wide. The BMC has claimed it will use Gabion wall technology. But this technology is not eco-friendly at all. They are just cutting mountains and constructing roads using these Gabion walls. This is also destroying the ecological habitat of Powai lake,” said activist Amrita Bhattacharjee.
Bhattacharjee added several trees have been affected by the project. “Several trees are being cut and rocks and mountains are being destroyed. We don’t need this kind of cycling track here. The state government hasn’t even done the eco-sensitive zone mapping of this region, which is required. There is no detailed project report nor any information related to the project in the public domain. The BMC has refused to answer us and is not replying to our RTI queries also,” she said.
The BMC on its part has said Gabion wall technology has significant benefits over other retaining structures as it is carried out by using natural stone which is an inert material. It is a porous material, and the gaps between the stones allow interaction between land and the water table. The pockets in the gabion wall become a place for vegetation to take root and prevent further soil erosion. Over time, in some applications, the gabion structure can become so inundated with vegetation as to no longer be visible. The growth of roots within the gabion helps the structure become more stable, enhancing the ecosystem.
Shivani Bhatt of the Banyan Tree cyclists group said, “The cost on the environment is too high. We want a workable cycle track on regular roads. We don’t need fancy cycle tracks. They are using taxpayers’ money. They should give us all the information. They should share all the information and consult us. They are not replying to any RTI.”
Nishant Bangera of Mews Foundation demanded that the project be stopped. “All construction must be stopped. They (BMC) have said the committee will guide them. But what will the committee do after the work is over? They are causing irreversible damage.”
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