Walls near forest areas curbing wildlife movement: Environmentalist writes to CM Uddhav Thackeray

The wall that is being constructed near the Powai NITIE campus

Construction of a wall near the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) Powai campus by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has drawn a lot of criticism and objections from city-based green activists and nature lovers. An environmentalist has written a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray alleging that such walls constructed by both government and private agencies were fragmenting the forests and disrupting movement of wildlife.

In the letter, Environmentalist Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti said that the obstructions that were being created in the wildlife corridor between SGNP and Aarey should be removed. "Please demolish these walls and maintain the continuity of forests," he said.

A wall was earlier constructed next to the Vihar lake

Stalin further states in the letter, "We have been reading reports about leopards being spotted at Gokuldham area of Goregaon East near Aarey. The conventional route taken by leopards from SGNP to Aarey is being fragmented. One of the areas that leopards frequent a lot is the NITIE campus. The leopards consider this area as a safe haven for their cubs. This wall will force the big cats to look for alternative areas and that is the reason why they are being seen in other areas. This is a huge threat to human life and must be addressed."

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Access to Vihar lake blocked, too, says activist

"Huge trees on the side of the wall are standing precariously. We are attaching pictures of the ongoing construction work. Already the MCGM has constructed a wall next to Vihar lake thereby blocking access to the water body. We had lodged a complaint regarding the same on March 25 but no action has been taken (photo attached). These barriers in natural areas have to be removed with immediate effect. Both private and government agencies are fragmenting the forests and disrupting movement of wildlife," the letter states.

NGO Vanashakti has also requested the CM to hand over the forest areas around Vihar and Powai lakes to the forest department after notifying them. "This will ensure a balance of existence between humans and wildlife in the region. Hope this letter isn't simply forwarded to offices, but some action is taken," the letter added.