These days every couple is on to make their wedding memorable by doing something grand or unique. Yet one bride and groom decided to make their wedding meaningful by standing up for a cause.
The couple from Thane decided to use their wedding venue as a protest site against Mumbai civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) cycle track project around Powai-Vihar lakes in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park Area. And there wasn’t just one couple but four newlyweds who held placards with calls to save nature’s balance.
Adorned in lehengas and suits, they held placards which read: “Save Vihar Lake” written on it, and, “Our future is at stake, please don’t steal our Powai Lake.” A groom held a placard that read in Hindi, “The cycle track is just a pretext; the real purpose is to make the jungle disappear.”
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The project has been facing fierce opposition from citizens and environmentalists to date. They have pointed out that BMC’s proposal to make a cycling track bordering the Powai-Vihar lakes contravenes its own Development Control Regulations as construction is not allowed into the 100m zone of the lake’s periphery. A Mumbai-based NGO has also approached the National Green Tribunal to intervene in the matter.
Take a look at the couples:
The young brides and grooms in a wedding ensured they use their special day to do their bit to save the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Vihar lake and Powai Lake from BMC’s cycle track project also called – Green Wheels Along the Blue Lines. #savenature #SaveSGNP #SavePowaiLake pic.twitter.com/3Oha3GlQHg
— Muse Foundation (@FoundationMuse) November 8, 2021
Bombay High Court put a stay on the project on November 1, restraining BMC from constructing the cycle track bordering Powai Lake after hearing that the project would violate wetland conservation and management rules and guidelines. The order was announced based on the interest litigation filed by two researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT-B).
On the contrary, state environment minister Aaditya Thackrey claims that the project aims to build a natural, urban open space. The lake is “ecologically dead,” full of sewage ingress, and surrounded by illegal construction, he claims. “The cycle track will be an important intervention. Contrary to what is being alleged, it will protect the lake from encroachments and incentivize proper environmental management,” Thackrey told the media.
The opposition rejects the explanation by Thackrey, saying that the lake’s footprints should not be reduced “at any cost,” and the BMC should work on removing the sewage flow. This lake is a natural habitat for crocodiles, and the cycle track will disturb them.