Causes, Effects, and Possible Remedies for Deforestation in the Aarey Region

Abstract

Background: Forests are essential for life on earth. Three hundred million people worldwide live in forests and 1.6 billion depend on them for their livelihoods. Forests also provide habitat for a vast array of plants and animals, many of which are still undiscovered. Aarey Colony is located adjacent to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the only national park in the world within the city limits of a metropolis. Not only is this forest rich in biodiversity, but it is also home to the Adivasi community who have been living here for generations. This community has borne the brunt of development projects which ended up displacing them and packing them into matchbox-sized, inconvenient Slum Rehabilitation Authority buildings. Methodology: A study was conducted to understand the impact of deforestation in the Aarey Forest has had on Katakari, Warli and Kokna tribes were selected in our research and what they feel about the phenomenon of such a kind of deforestation. The method followed for data collection was through the discussion with the local people and personal interviews. The information was collected by people through a questionnaire. Results: From the study it was understood that due to the deforestation in the Aarey Forest there has been observed a rise in the extinction of endangered species, increase in heat, flooding during monsoon, and majorly affected rainfall. Apart from the massive deforestation, FORCE 1 and the developing film city and resorts are the major reasons for tree felling in the region. Conclusion: With collaboration with the local residents, NGO’s and experts in the field we can spread awareness about the importance of the prevailing issue and further take this to a greater advocacy level focusing on the responsibility of the govt. and a citizen as a whole.

Keywords: Aarey Forest, Deforestation, Adivasi Pada