Mumbai: Nature lovers, activists protest against cycle track at Powai lake

MUMBAI: Nature lovers and environmentalists held a protest demonstration near Powai lake on Sunday in order to demand that the cycle track construction around the lake be scrapped, since it is ruining the lake's biodiversity, and also encroaching into the basking area of crocodiles.
The activists pointed that the government did not take people's opinions into account for the controversial cycle track, while the Environment Impact Assessment report has also not been shown.
Some of the participating protesters who were earlier part of the Save Aarey Forest campaign informed that as many as 162 trees are slated to be fully hacked for the ongoing cycle track project, which is just not good for the environment.
"We local residents, along with the activists of Muse Foundation and other nature lovers, are highly upset with the BMC for allowing the construction of cycle track around Powai lake. In the past, I have personally seen crocodile eggs laid in the muddy soil on the edge of the lake, where now hectic construction activity is happening. There is also no EIA report shown to the public; so why to make this cycle track that the people do not want?'' said a protester, Tabrez Ali Sayed.
Activist Amrita Bhattacharjee of Aarey Conservation Group commented, "In the recent past, we have noticed a lot of big stones thrown into the lake water, while some trees were cut for the cycle track. The people are therefore expressing their anger by protesting like this, in order to be heard by the state government.''
Placards displaying slogans such as 'BMC, You Are Off Track!', 'Stop destroying Powai Lake' and 'Why Call Upon Man-Wildlife Conflict?' were put up at the protest demonstration which was attended by nearly 100 persons, including children.
Environmentalist and director of NGO Vanashakti, D Stalin, commented to TOI, "I have also made several visits to Powai lake to see this cycle track work. It is just not a good idea to have it around a water body that hosts many Indian marsh crocodiles, fishes, and over 200 dependent bird species. Nishant Bangera of Muse Foundation and other protesters are trying to give out a strong message to the state government, to leave Powai lake's biodiversity alone.''
The state environment minister, Aditya Thackeray, had personally visited the lake to see how the cycle track project can be implemented. Since then, several green voices have been raised against its construction.