Navi Mumbai: More than 200 people, including children, took part in the human chain protest held in Sanpada sector 19, Palm Beach Road, on Sunday morning. The locals were raising their silent voice against the axing and transplantation of 440 trees to pave the way for a proposed tunnel road. However, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation in no way wants to succumb to any public pressure and went ahead with its proposal.A silent battle is on between the citizen and the civic body over the proposed tunnel at the cost of trees and the environment. The area is under a high air quality index, i.e., pollution. The green belt destruction will add to their woes.The participants did not raise any slogans during the 1.30-hour-long protest, while the posters had enough to say. “Relocation? I’m a tree, not a sofa,” “Me or oxygen cylinders,” “Free oxygen. No subscription required.” The collective concern and unity had a strong impact without noise. The vehicular movement was not affected during the no speech and no vote of thanks protest.“This citizens’ initiative clearly demonstrated strong local support for protecting the trees. It sent a clear message that cutting or relocating them will not be easy, as these trees are an essential part of the community’s healthy and sustainable way of living,” said Shrikant Patki, who spearheaded the protest.
