The sprawling city of Mumbai doesn't exactly conjure up images of a rural idyll. However, the Gorai-Manori belt nearby is a picturesque region, full of wildlife and lakes and with a population who depend on small fishing and agricultural operations.
However, the state government now plans to turn 10,000 previously protected acres of the belt into a tourism and recreational development zone, ruining people’s livelihoods. Eight ponds have been earmarked for luxury recreational facilities and six villages will be affected.
The Times of India reports that about 16 thousand local people and organisations have already registered their protest to the plans, which would irrevocably change the area.
Tell the state government to preserve the cultural heritage of the region and stop putting the recreation of the wealthy ahead of the basic needs of local people and wildlife.
We the undersigned ask that you stop plans for 10,000 acres of currently protected land in the Gorai-Manori belt to be rezoned as "green", i.e. open to development, from going ahead. This plan would have a negative impact on the environment and the area’s people. With India's cultural heritage and natural environment already disappearing very rapidly, the authorities have an obligation to protect it, not encourage completely unnecessary developments that would only benefit the wealthy.
Thank you for your attention.
