Dear All This is with reference to the series of news articles that appeared in the Marathi daily - Loksatta since 25 May 2015. This is about the proposal of so called 'improvement' of Maharashtra Nature Park located on the banks of Mithi River in Dharavi, Mumbai. The proposal prepared by 'Observer Research Foundation' & 'Reliance Foundation' has been accepted by MMRDA and it proposes to convert the nature park into a sort of an amusement park with several typical urban features and linking it with the commercial hub of Bandra-Kurla Complex. This is a clear attempt of land grabbing for future commercial activity at a prime location. Maharashtra Nature Park is the first ecological park in India created by converting a 37 acres of garbage dump on the banks of Mithi River into a green lung for Mumbai city. This was initiated in 1980 by a very dynamic lady - Shanta Chatterji who was the Chairperson of WWF - Mumbai Chapter and designed by us as an ecological & nature education park with biodiversity rich vegetation, nursery of forest plants and mangrove rejuvenation in the Mithi Creek. This was a garbage dump over which we worked, toiled hard, fought several battles and designed and created this dream Nature Park, first of its kind in India. The MNP had started blossoming with nature conservation activities during the last few years and I was so happy participating in a few activities and reading about them. This is a place for children, youth and senior citizens from all walks of life. And now someone decides to wipe this all with some gimmicks. Such efforts of several people in the creation and rejuvenation of biodiversity could just vanish because of whims of some officials at MMRDA lured by some pseudo-NGO and corporate bigwigs is a shameful act. Maharashtra Nature Park 'improvement' plot further thickens as reflected in today's newspaper story! They have courage to even oust the Chief Secretary from the post of president of Maharashtra Nature Park Society. There seems to be no option to the nature lovers other than the collective agitation / protest without wasting any time. This is an earnest request to the nature loving youth and organisations of Mumbai to come forward unitedly. This is also an appeal to help to protect MNP by writing to authorities, press and loud protest? There is a heated discussion on this issue on Facebook and many senior naturalists like Bittu Sahgal (Sanctuary Magazine), Sumaira Abdulali (BNHS), Shanta Chatterji have protested strongly and offered support for 'Save MNP Mission'. Let us show our strength to protect this green lung of Mumbai. I am in Bengaluru and feel helpless and furstrated. However I will be a part of this agitation / protest. Best wishes Ulhas Rane -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "efloraofindia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/indiantreepix. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
