Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar backed tree felling for a proposed metro car shed in Aarey colony in Mumbai and cited the Delhi Metro as an example to drive home the point that development and environment protection can co-exist. He spotlighted the fact that the Bombay high court has ruled that Aarey area is not a forest. "But metro has planted 5 trees for every single tree that it has taken down. Now, there are 271 stations. Forest undercover area has increased in Delhi. 30 lakh people are using the metro as public transport. This is the mantra of development and protecting the environment. Both should go together," the BJP leader said.

Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar backed tree felling for a proposed metro car shed in Aarey colony in Mumbai and cited the Delhi Metro as an example to drive home the point that development and environment protection can co-exist. He spotlighted the fact that the Bombay high court has ruled that Aarey area is not a forest. "But metro has planted 5 trees for every single tree that it has taken down. Now, there are 271 stations. Forest undercover area has increased in Delhi. 30 lakh people are using the metro as public transport. This is the mantra of development and protecting the environment. Both should go together," the BJP leader said.