<h5>What is the Aarey forest?</h5>  <p>India is blessed with many forests. These forests shelter many species of animals and provide us with clean and pollution-free air to breathe.
However, most of the forest area in India is situated very far from the cities. If you live in an Indian city, chances are that you will only find greenery in gardens or parks. But what if we were to tell you that a forest is situated in the middle of India’s largest city - Mumbai.</p>
<p>Surprising, right? But it is true. Situated in Mumbai, Aarey forest is an urban forest, which means a forest located in a city. It is located in the Goregaon (East) locality of Mumbai, providing the residents with an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.</p>
<p>The Aarey forest holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the residents of Mumbai. Let’s find out why.
</p> <h5>What does Aarey forest mean to Mumbai?</h5>  <p>More people live in Mumbai than in any other city in India. Due to its ever-growing population, the city has seen rapid growth in infrastructure such as buildings, roads, etc. This has taken a toll on the greenery of the city.
Aarey forest is the last forested area remaining in Mumbai. The forest provides fresh and clean air to the residents of Mumbai. It also has a residential area known as the Aarey colony and contains more than twenty villages. </p>
<p>The forest is not only beneficial to the human residents of the city but also provides shelter to many species of plants and animals as well. 
Around 2,000 trees in the Aarey forest have already been cut down for infrastructure projects and more are likely to be cut. The Aarey forest is in imminent danger.
</p> <h5>Why is the Aarey forest under threat?</h5>  <p>In 2019, the government of Maharashtra, led by the BJP, decided to build a metro car shed (an area where metro cars are parked) by cutting down a portion of the Aarey forest. This decision was opposed by the residents, environmentalists, etc.</p>
<p>However, a new government was formed after the elections later in the year. This time, the Shiv-Sena led the government. They decided to shift the metro car shed to another area.</p>
<p>But, due to a recent political crisis in Maharashtra, the BJP government is once again in power. After gaining control of the state government, they decided that the metro car shed would be built where it was originally planned. 
</p> <h5>Can the Aarey forest be saved?</h5> <figure>
        <img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/the-imminent-threat-to-aarey-forest%2Fthe-imminent-threat-to-aarey-forest.jpeg?alt=media&token=5781f886-32fa-4a2a-ac5a-37f9f6026394" alt="Can the Aarey forest be saved?" >
        <figcaption>The beautiful Aarey forest. </figcaption>
      </figure> <p>Residents of the city, environmentalists, and some political parties have approached the Supreme Court to stop the metro car shed from being built. There have also been many protests to save the forest.</p>
<p>The future of the Aarey forest depends on how the government plans to protect the remaining part of the forest.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, not only Aarey but most of the forests in India are facing destruction because of rapid infrastructure development.
</p> <h5>How can you help to protect forests in India?</h5>  <p>You can help save our amazing forests by sharing the benefits of large green spaces with others. If more people care about saving the forests, the governments will work more towards protecting them.
</p>

The Aarey forest of Mumbai is under an imminent threat from the government. Let’s find out how and why.

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