In the last few days, we've witnessed a large public outcry to save the Aarey Forest when the BMC came out with it's decision to cut down an astounding 2,702 trees for developing the third phase of Mumbai's metro. It's beyond us how anyone in their rational mind would nod a yes to this decision but you never know with our policy makers. Naturally, environmentalists and citizens of Mumbai continue to demand that Aarey forest be left alone and?that Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) consider alternate locations for the metro car shed.
Policy-makers and governments should never test the power citizens hold. Case in point? Several Canadian citizens came together and crowdfunded a whooping $3 million to buy pristine land.?
Reuters
In the first crowdfunding effort of its kind, Canadians have?raised $3 million?to purchase a stretch of coastal wilderness in British Columbia to save it from development. The 2,000 acres of pristine coastline in the Princess Louisa Inlet on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast are virtually untouched. The land includes a fjord, the top rim of which branches into high alpine snow pack forming multiple dramatic waterfalls that run down the rock.
Also, it's important to note that there weren't any rich donors that alone contributed to this fund-raiser. A plethora of average Canadians offered what they could ranging from $15-$20 too.?
Pexels
It's so sad to see that the government we vote for can't be trusted to protect forests because their vested interests only support development. It's refreshing to see citizens get together and save whatever little of forests we have left - we are and will always be true protectors of our natural resources.