Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been...

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AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been reduced to an annual ritual of tree-planting drives and clicking selfies for social media, though 90 pc of the saplings don’t survive even a day. “Only the government knows where those trees really are,” said Raj sternly. He recalled a "Blueprint of Maharashtra’s Development" he had proposed in 2015, in which he advocated how development without environmental sensitivity is hollow. Justifying, he said that the consequences are visible where roads, bridges and infrastructure projects are hailed as achievements, but even a short spell of rainfall can paralyze entire cities. Referring to recent reports on farmers returning from the fields after 10 am due to the scorching heat, Raj said that the worsening climate crisis has become an everyday reality. Citing official statistics, Raj claimed that extreme heat has caused productivity losses of nearly USD 159 billion and slashing of 160 billion work-hours annually in recent years. He mentioned the World Bank estimates that India’s GDP could plummet by 2.5-4.5 pc while 57 pc of the country’s districts sheltering 76 pc of the population stare at serious climate-related crises. Taking a swipe, he said while the governments boast about growth figures and economical rankings, they are silent on the staggering costs of environmental destruction. He questioned the development model “whether flooded cities, washed-away crops and unbearable summers” genuinely indicate progress. Claiming that Maharashtra was increasingly becoming unliveable for upto 8 months in a year, he said excessive monsoon rains disrupt rural life and urban floods cripple cities, while extreme heat make normal life a torture in summers in both urban-rural areas. Targeting the Centre, Raj alleged that nearly 173,984 hectares of forest lands were diverted in the past 11 years for mining and infrastructure projects to benefit the PM’s single favourite Adani Group. He said that these lands amount to 1,730 sqkm, or equivalent to the area of 16 Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) that is spread over barely 104 sqkm. Dissolve state wildlife board: Aaditya Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray has accused the Maharashtra government for issuing a permit to carry out mining activity in the sensitive tiger corridor between the Tadoba-Andhari and Indravati sanctuaries housing the big striped cats. In a strongly-worded letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Member-Secretary Sanjay Kumar, Thackeray sought his immediate personal intervention, sacking the Maharashtra State Board for Wild-Life (SBWL), revoking the permit, and probe against the Chief Wildlife Warden & Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) M. Srinivasa Reddy for the alleged lacunae. Aditya’s two-pager says the permit has been granted for “scientific exploration and excavation/systematic recovery of low-grade iron ore in existing mines in villages Hedri, Bande, Parsalgondi and Round Parsalgondi, in the Etapalli taluka of Gadchiroli district”. Last January, Aditya – MLA from Worli – had first raised the issue saying that the proposed mine would create only 120 jobs, including 32 permanent, and the estimated output is pegged at 1.1 million tons in a year. Referring to two letters of Reddy – on April 28 and May 21 – the SS (UBT) leader claimed that in communications to the state government, the PCCF had changed his stance on the issue. Aditya said that in the first letter, Reddy had effectively opposed the government plans for mining activity but in the second letter, he took a somersault, ostensibly due to government pressures or some commercial interests, “the U-turn is disgraceful and detrimental to India’s national interest” – and this abrupt shift in stance must be investigated thoroughly. In view of the contrary stance of the PCCF Reddy, entrusted with protecting the wildlife but failing to defend the NTCA and NBWL, point to serious malfunctioning of the SBWL, and hence it must be dissolved, besides reviewing all its decisions in the past three years, particularly those pertaining to hazardous activities in sensitive areas, demanded Aditya. 444 tigers roam in 11,000 sq.km As per the Status of Tiger Report (2002), and the Maharashtra Economic Survey 2025-2026, the state boasts of 444 tigers prowling in the wild along with other menacing creatures. The state’s total protected wildlife network of 88 Notified Areas of National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves - including 6 dedicated to the striped big cats – is spread over 11,092 sq. kms as per current data.

Mumbai unites to follow

Quaid Najmi
May 14
3 min read

Mumbai: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nationwide ‘austerity’ drive gathers steam, Maharashtra appears to have embraced the campaign with a blend of seriousness, symbolism and political theatrics.

With fuel conservation offering a windfall of photo opportunities, protest pageantry, bouts of comedy, the people and politicians took up the frugality challenge with gusto – on motorcycles and electric cars to white horses or horse-carriages and bullock-carts, or plain footing it out in the blistering summer heat.

Governor Jishnu Dev Varma set the tone by writing to the state government seeking a review of his security arrangements, including a reduction in the number of escort vehicles in his convoy and a scaling down of related security deployment.

EV Ride

Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde switched to an electric vehicle for his south Mumbai commute. Sena insiders indicated that more party ministers and legislators are likely to adopt EVs, as competition sharpens between the polluters and carbon friendly options.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, boarded a private bus to conserve fuel while inspecting the Sant Dnyaneshwar Mauli Maharaj Palkhi route. Congress state Chief Spokesperson Atul Londhe-Patil claimed that there were around 2-3 dozen convy vehicles trailing Gadkari’s bus. Nevertheless, the videos of the bus transporting Gadkari was enough for bureaucrats to scramble for convenient bus schedules.

Sharad Pawar Supports

While appealing to the masses to cooperate with the Centre’s frugality drive, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar gently mocked the sudden enthusiasm for austerity.

“For the past four years, I have had only three vehicles in my convoy. But implementing such measures for a day or two will not significantly impact fuel reserves,” Pawar observed with a giggle, underlining the need for sustained long-term policies instead of symbolic gestures.

He also took a veiled swipe at the BJP, wondering why such austerity measures were delayed and announced only after the recently concluded Assembly elections in 4 states. He reiterated his demand to the PM to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the state of the country's economy.

Meanwhile, the opposition ensured that the austerity drive did not become dull. NCP (SP) General Secretary Dr. Jitendra Awhad stole attention a couple of days ago when he led a protest mounted on a white horse - apparently sourced from a wedding contractor.

Trailing behind him were party workers in horse-carriages and bullock-carts, shouting slogans against the government and accusing rulers of making ordinary citizens pay for policy failures.

In another symbolic sacrifice, several Shiv Sena (UBT) legislators led by Ambadas Danve abandoned their SUVs and luxury sedans, choosing to walk from Churchgate and nearby locations to the legislature complex in south Mumbai.

However, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Raj Thackeray frowned at the antics of politicians jostling to showcase their frugalities and urged for serious yet practical measures.

On its part, the state government issued directives for Work From Home wherever feasible, advised District Collectors to conduct video conferences to reduce official travel, while departments directed to rationalise or reduce vehicle usage.

Mumbaikars too accept ‘austerity’

Beyond the political arena, ordinary Mumbaikars also struggled to adapt in their own practical ways. In places like Borivali, Kandivali, Khar, Jogeshwari, Dadar, Ghatkopar, Mulund and Sion, many office-goers opted for bicycles, two-wheelers or public transport for short commutes.

Hoping to blend environmental concerns, physical fitness and frugality, many citizens were seen walking to neighbourhood gardens, parks or even to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and beaches on foot or on bicycles.

The actual impact of the austerity drives – by way of a decline in road traffic or reduction in demand and consumption for fossil fuels – may be available only in the coming weeks.