Aarey Conservation Group organized an event called “The Aarey Ecosystem: Impacting the future of Mumbai” at Pragnya Bodhini High School, Mumbai. The event aimed at raising awareness on the fast urbanization of Mumbai, and its effects on the ecosystem.
The event had various speakers such as Shwetha Wagh (Urban Conservationist & Associate Professor at KRVIA), Hema Ramani (Lawyer), Hussain Indorewala (Urban Researcher & Associate Professor at KRVIA) and WCS-India’s Nikit Surve.
Nikit Surve spoke on “The spotted Mumbaikar from Aarey,” the biodiversity in Aarey, and the different species that call Aarey home. Focusing on human-leopard co-existence, and how leopards are adapting to city life and causing no harm to anyone, he said, “I want to create awareness about the leopard, about the importance of biodiversity not just for animals but for our well being too.''
Nikit during his talk
“We wanted to increase awareness among people; we will hold more of such events in the future about the impact of massive developments on Mumbai's wild places and how the law is also being modified to accommodate more projects in the green areas” said Reema, the organizer of the event.
The event was attended by several members of the public, people from all age groups who were present to gain insights into the topic.