Ever since the residents of Nagpur had heard about the proposal of cutting of hundreds of trees for a needless road near Bharat Nagar they had started speaking up against the project. The court had also taken cognizance and had initiated a PIL and ordered a temporary stay on the tree cuttings on the PDKV land besides Bharat Nagar.
The residents of Bharat Nagar had started a mass movement and on 1st of May 2019 the residents of Nagpur answered their clarion call and assembled on the banks of Futala forming the longest human chain to conserve the environment and save Bharat Van.
People started assembling from as early as 6 am on 1st of May.
Volunteers, many of whom were housewives and children from Bharat Nagar area took up their positions by 6:30am and suddenly the rush of people from all walks of life started lining up the banks of Futala. Some had placards in their hands while others had banners. All of them wanted to save the trees from being cut and a green patch of the city being destroyed.
The chain started forming and 8 am the line which had started from one corner of the Futala near Amravati road had reached the gates of the Botanical garden and further towards Vayusena gate. At the end of the event at 8 am the officially the figures stood at 6651 people. Most interesting part of the whole event was that it was managed by the citizens and residents of Nagpur themselves and not by any one particular professional group or organisation.
Students and teachers of over 10 schools including Modern School, G. H. Raisoni Vidyaniketan, CDS school, Saraswati Vidyalaya, Hillfort School, Centre Point school and various college students belonging to engineering, pharmacy, hotel management, commerce, etc. streams participated in the chain.
Organisations like Navy, NCC, Rotary Club, JCIs, Lions, Vidarbha Taxpayers Association, Indian Medical Associations, NEERI, Orange City bikers club, Hawk cyclers club, Big Ben sports club and many green organisations like Paryavaran Prerna Vidarbha, Green Vigil, Punarnava Eco-designs, Half day Wildlifers, Shrushti Paryavaran, Gorewada Jungle Trekkers club and Vanrai also joined the human chain.
Apart from these there were many citizens old and young, ladies and gentlemen, children and office goer who came out in support of Save Bharat Van campaign and urged the authorities to drop the decision to make an unwanted road through Bharat Van by cutting large number of trees.
This movement has become unique as it is the first of its kind citizens movement in Nagpur to save environment in such a large number. Mr. Alok who had come all the way from Mumbai said that he wanted to see how the citizens of Nagpur are coping to the rapid destruction of trees and green cover and take back to Mumbai the message so that they can save places like the Aarey forest in Mumbai from such thoughtless development.
Notably, the ‘Save Bharat Van’ movement is not affiliated to any political party and is being taken forward by the people of Nagpur without any political support, though some noted politicians attended the Human Chain event to support the cause. Team ‘Save Bharatvan’ has clarified that their movement is truly a people’s movement and has no political agenda at all and is not supported by any political party or group.
Team ‘Save Bharat Van’ however reposes complete confidence and faith in government and expects that their demand of dropping the proposed road through Bharat Van shall be sensibly considered appreciating the fact that the proposed road is not only un-necessary but is also opposed by the public at large.
With around 15000 people supporting by way of signature campaign, over 25,000 people showing support through their representatives in 50 prominent institutions/associations of the city who have opposed the propose road and tree cutting, over 6000 people supporting the cause during chain formation event, over 1500 people supporting the cause by participating in weekly eco-friendly events being organized amidst the greens of Bharat Van and thousands others pouring their support on social media, it goes without saying that the PEOPLE OF NAGPUR ARE FOR THE GREEN AND AGAINST THE UN-NECESSARY DEVELOPMENT AT THE COST OF GREEN.
