The state may have moved in the right direction by declaring 812 acres from Aarey Milk Colony as forest, but encroachers seem to be determined to make inroads into the green zone. A nature lover recently came across one such attempt to clear land at Aarey by burning down bushes. While he doused the fire, he found sticks and tarpaulin sheets that are used to erect hutments. On Sunday, Imran Udat and two of his friends were near Unit 15 inside Aarey when they saw smoke rising from a forested patch close to a hillock.

Officials removed the banners but could not demolish the huts as the land is under the jurisdiction of Aarey CEO’s office