Aarey forest in Mumbai has been a burning topic for over a few months now since the news of tree felling order reached the ears of nature-conserving Mumbaikars.
Just as today, people in Maharashtra stepped out and voted in the Assembly polls, choosing leaders who care for the environment remained a top priority for millennials who protested day and night to save trees from being cut.
Many took to microblogging platform Twitter and shared selfies with an inked finger. But what set them apart was a call to think and then vote for candidates who care for the nature and well-being of environment.
A user wrote:
¡°Voted to get a leader who is from a party that walks the talk given as commitment to its voters in Delhi.. Voted to prevent Aarey like disaster Voted to get the right to good life, for a better future for all¡±
Young voters urged fellow voters to not forget that saving nature means saving humanity.?
They reminded that flora and fauna in Mumbai is at an immense risk due to construction activities and development. PMC crisis and killing of tigress Avni were among the top reasons that played a pivotal role as voters demanded change.?
Many shared their inked selfies with hashtags such as #VotedForAarey and #VoteForChange
Politicians have faced the ire of public for cutting trees in Aarey Milk Colony overnight for the construction of metro car shed amid protests by activists and common public.?