Activist Abhay Bavishi of Save Aarey group has been detained to question authorities
Akankshya Mukherjee, Mumbai Uncensored, 24th January 2022 :
Mumbai Green Activist and member of the Save Aarey Group, Abhay Bavishi was detained to question by the authorities to question when a peepal tree was hacked in Gaothan Area of Vile Parle (E). The heritage tree is said to be about 60 years old, which was fully chopped by the East ward officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Abhay Bavishi says “I had gone to the site today after hearing that the big peepal tree was about to be fully cut by the K-East ward officials. The municipal gardens official, Pradeep Jadhav, had showed me the tree cutting order which was dated from 2018. I tried to reason with the civic officials that I had been writing to the BMC since 2017-18 to not cut this particular tree. Green activists have also filed RTI applications to find out why a heritage tree in the gaothan area in Vile Parle (east) had been destroyed”.
He further adds “Police told me to go to the ward office to complain. However, I reasoned that by the time I could do this, this grand old tree would have been hacked to death. That is when the cops forcibly pushed me inside their vehicle, while this tree was cut”.
Another activist Zoru Bhathena, in a tweet, questioned the cutting of the tree. In a tweet, he said, “BMC KE ward is cutting a roadside tree at Vile Parle phatak on a 2018 permission issued to BMC to BMC itself. They claim tree is coming in way of traffic If traffic was not obstructed for so many years how come in 2022 it is obstructing?”.
Another local activist, Jude Dsouza said “It is very suspicious why the civic ward office decided to execute the 2018 order now. Over the years, we have also filed RTIs on this issue in order to save this peepal tree; but did not receive a proper formal reply. We are now appealing to environment minister Aditya Thackeray to take action against those who killed this heritage tree, since it is nearly 100 years old”.
While the assistant commissioner of the K-East ward, Mr Prashant Sapkale was unavailable for comment, the civic garden official, Mr Pradeep Jadhav told “I cannot comment on this subject to the media. You can contact the ward office in this regard”.
On August 15, 2024, Bharat marks its 78th Independence Day, a day of national pride and reflection on the country’s journey from colonial rule to a vision of a developed nation by 2047. This year’s theme, Viksit Bharat or Developed Bharat, symbolizes the government’s commitment to transforming Bharat into a developed nation by the time the country celebrates its 100th year of independence. Across the country, citizens will celebrate with flag hoisting, parades, and cultural events, honoring the spirit of freedom and the progress made since 1947.
Independence Day commemorates Bharat’s freedom from over 200 years of British rule, achieved on August 15, 1947. The struggle for independence, which began with the Revolt of 1857 and gained momentum under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi in the 1920s, culminated in the Indian Independence Bill being introduced in the British House of Commons on July 4, 1947, leading to Bharat becoming an independent nation.
As we celebrate this significant day, it is a moment to honor the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and renew our commitment to their vision for Bharat. Happy Independence Day to all, and may we continue to strive for a prosperous and developed nation. Jai Hind!
A company named Subhash Constructions is responsible for the degradation of Silver Beach, Marve. Despite existing regulations aimed at safeguarding coastal ecosystems, this company has blatantly disregarded environmental norms, upsetting the delicate balance of nature.
Among the most concerning outcomes of this unchecked development is the unauthorized creation of a slope on the beach. This alteration of the natural landscape not only disrupts the beach’s aesthetic appeal but also poses considerable ecological risks. Additionally, reports of dead snakes found along the shoreline serve as a poignant reminder of the adverse impact of human intervention on local wildlife.
Local Citizens are demanding an FIR against the contractor and their associates for conducting work of a government contract in an unethical manner by making a ramp by using stones and soil instead of using metal sheets for machinery movement. Dumping of huge rocks and soil on the beach has also risked the environment, and this whole project will also cause sand erosion, a local source said.
Environmentalists have taken strong objections against the construction of a wall at Marve beach in suburban Mumbai, as they said that “This will further destroy the sandy beach, besides wasting taxpayers’ money to build a wall. Its actually foolish to construct such walls on beaches instead of coming up with eco-sustainable solutions.”
The situation at Silver Beach Marwe underscores the pressing need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and increased accountability from construction companies. Subhash Construction, in particular, must be held accountable for its role in the degradation of this coastal ecosystem.
Furthermore, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority’s mandate against permanent constructions on beaches must be enforced without compromise. Failure to do so not only compromises the integrity of Silver Beach Marve but also establishes a hazardous precedent for coastal development projects throughout the region.
As concerned citizens, it is our collective responsibility to raise awareness about the environmental challenges facing Silver Beach Marve and advocate for sustainable solutions. Specifically, the dumping of stones on the seacoast and the absence of a required board of the ongoing tender on the beach must be addressed. Moreover, companies found violating environmental regulations, like Subhash Construction, should be blacklisted as government contractors. The explicit directive from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority prohibiting permanent constructions on the beach must be emphasized and upheld.
Only through concerted action can we hope to preserve the natural beauty of our coastal heritage for the enjoyment of future generations.
Fortuitous Combination of Birth Dates Turns Ordinary Ticket into Millionaire Maker
In a stroke of unimaginable luck, a man from Kerala, India, clinched a whopping Rs.33 crore jackpot in the UAE, all thanks to a serendipitous choice of numbers. The 50-year-old winner, identified as Sunil Kumar, purchased a lottery ticket for the UAE Big Ticket Draw, selecting numbers that bore significant personal meaning – his children’s birth dates.
The fortuitous combination of birth dates transformed an ordinary lottery ticket into a life-changing windfall, as Kumar emerged as the sole winner of the eye-watering prize. His decision to infuse sentimental value into his ticket by choosing numbers associated with his children’s special milestones paid off in the most extraordinary manner possible.
The news of Kumar’s incredible win has sent waves of excitement and inspiration throughout Kerala and beyond, underscoring the unpredictable yet exhilarating nature of lottery games. As Kumar basks in the glow of his newfound fortune, his story serves as a testament to the age-old adage: sometimes, luck truly does favor the bold – or in this case, the sentimental.