Where have all the parks gone?
As Mumbai stayed indoors during the lockdown this summer, it felt like nature was taking over the city. However while we all share images of flamingos in Navi Mumbai, and monkeys having a pool party in Borivali, the fact still remains that Mumbai’s green spaces are under threat.
Green cover and deforestation are major environmental issues for Mumbaikars, and they cut across the city, which lost 60% of its green cover in the last 40 years.
Whether it's Aarey and the Metro, or Amarsons Garden and the Coastal Road project, our parks are disappearing, despite the BMC’s promise to create 100 new urban forests. We worked with VICE Media to interview people from their homes to ask them how they felt about Mumbai’s green spaces.
Share this video, and the tweets below with the hashtag #BiodiversitybytheBay, if you agree!
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Mumbai, do you miss your parks during this lockdown? We asked you how you felt about your disappearing green spaces, and this is what you had to say! @viceindia #VICETrashTalk Watch the full video here: https://t.co/PRMbjPzImu #MinistryofMumbaisMagic #wherehaveallourparksgone pic.twitter.com/lX50qbPJbd
— Ministry of Mumbai's Magic (@MumbaisMagic) June 15, 2020
I once saw a park sign that said "No children or pets" What's your least favourite park rule? Mumbai, we asked you how you felt about your disappearing green spaces, and this is what you had to say, from @walkinginmumbai ! Listen at: https://t.co/PRMbjPi7uW #ViceTrashTalk pic.twitter.com/Vv1x3ncoxg
— Ministry of Mumbai's Magic (@MumbaisMagic) June 19, 2020
The Forest Department's announcement this week will protect our beloved flamingos and the wetlands they inhabit, which in turn protect Mumbai from climate change! Listen to @MoonyandLoony and other Mumbaikars talk about our green spaces at: https://t.co/PRMbjPzImu #ViceTrashTalk pic.twitter.com/ih5Fp4A4mj
— Ministry of Mumbai's Magic (@MumbaisMagic) June 23, 2020
"The biggest enemy of green spaces is the car" - wise words from @sloganmurugan via @viceindia, illustrated by the recent crowding of Mumbai parks as the lockdown lifts. Listen to Mumbai's views on their green spaces on: https://t.co/PRMbjPzImu #VICETrashTalk #publicspace pic.twitter.com/CiW56WeOIf
— Ministry of Mumbai's Magic (@MumbaisMagic) June 17, 2020
Harsh truths from @aslam_saiyad, which need to be said as the SC approves 407 acres of forest land for redevelopment in the heart of Aarey this week! Mumbai, we asked you how you felt about your disappearing green spaces, and this is what you had to say: https://t.co/PRMbjPi7uW pic.twitter.com/RzOT6ZIYOa
— Ministry of Mumbai's Magic (@MumbaisMagic) June 21, 2020
A recent study showed that there's half a tree for every person in Mumbai. With numbers like that, no wonder parks feel like a luxury. We asked you how you felt about your disappearing green spaces, and this is what you had to say! #VICETrashTalk https://t.co/PRMbjPzImu pic.twitter.com/bDn6TINzTZ
— Ministry of Mumbai's Magic (@MumbaisMagic) June 16, 2020