Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (MS)
Mumbai, Jan 3: Prakash Kardaley memorial award for civic journalism, founded by Ramnath Goenka Foundation was awarded to Chaithanya Marpakwar of Times of India for his extensive coverage of Save Aarey movement against cutting of 3000 trees in Mumbai Aarey forest area in order to build metro shed.
This award is given to journalists who make sustained efforts to highlight civic problem and pressurize the administration to find alternative solution for the issue. The award is instituted in the name of former resident editor of Indian express of Pune, Prakash Kardaley.
Government overlooked the environment assessment report that cutting of trees in Aarey could lead to floods at the Mumbai International airport during heavy monsoon. The report by Chaitanya explained it detail how the cutting of Aarey trees could cause devastation in nearby areas.