Abstract

The Aarey Forest Movement in Mumbai emerged in 2018 as one of India’s most significant grassroots environmental struggles challenging the developmental paradigm of urban expansion at the cost of ecological sustainability. The movement began when the state proposed clearing large portions of the Aarey forest to build a metro car shed sparking protests from environmentalists students local communities and ordinary citizens. This paper analyzes the Aarey Forest Movement as a social science case study highlighting its ecological social and political significance. By situating the movement within India’s tradition of environmental resistance the study reveals how urban environmentalism can intersect with grassroots struggles for justice.