Mrityunjay Bose | Deccan Herald | Wednesday, Mar 21, 2018

Shiv Sena, Congress slam M'rashtra govt over proposal on Mahim Nature Park

The Mahim Nature Park (MNP), one of the last big stretches of green land in Mumbai has now become the bone of contention between the two saffron alliance partners, Shiv Sena and BJP.

A campaign #SaveMNP has already started on the social media and in the days would gain ground. The Maharashtra Government's Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has proposed the MNP to be included for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project.

This comes right after the campaign to save the green patch of Aarey Colony, part of which is being acquired for the car shed of the Mumbai Metro project. The Aarey is located in the periphery of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the 'green lung' of Mumbai.

Spread over 17 hectares, the MNP is home to hundreds of species of birds, butterflies, reptiles and trees. More than 200 species of plants are listed here. On the periphery of the park is the Mahim Creek, which supports a lush evergreen mangrove forest.

Shiv Sena President Uddhav Thackeray's son Aditya took to Twitter and then visited the MNP and met locals and activists and urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to save the MNP.

"Hon'ble CM sir, the MMRCL is hacking trees in Mumbai, esp Aarey. Now Govt what's builders to take over Mahim Nature Park. Destruction of environment isn't called Development. Why is the Govt looting Mumbai of its open & green spaces #saveaarey #SaveMNP," the Thackeray Jr tweeted. "We would not allow builders inside the MNP," he said.

At the same time, Shiv Sena ministers and party whip submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

Congress too has expressed displeasure over the development. "MNP today, Priyadarshini Park tomorrow. Wake up Mumbai. Let's reclaim our public spaces by getting rid of these crooks," Congress leader and former Union minister Milind Deora tweeted.
"Stop feeding parks to builders'- I repeat this impressive statement @Dev_Fadnavis #SaveMNP," tweeted naturalist V Shubhalaxmi

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