Maharashtra: No new buildings within 1km of SGNP, says forest department

Following the gazette notification of 2016, the state had set up a monitoring committee headed by BMC’s additional municipal commissioner (Projects) to sanction development works in the ESZ around Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

MUMBAI: The state government has decided to follow the Supreme Court’s June order with respect to curbing construction activities around protected forest land.

“Each protected forest, that is national park or wildlife sanctuary, must have an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of minimum 1 km reassured from the demarcated boundary of such protected forest in which the activities proscribed and prescribed in the February 2011 guidelines shall strictly adhere to,” the SC had said.

Following the gazette notification of 2016, the state had set up a monitoring committee headed by BMC’s additional municipal commissioner (Projects) to sanction development works in the ESZ around Sanjay Gandhi National Park. At the committee’s July 25 meeting to consider the various projects seeking approval, all members agreed that in light of the June 3 SC order no new proposal could be considered.

It also decided to seek the government’s guidance in the matter. It stayed all proposals. In his letter to the municipal commissioners, the deputy forest officer said that in cases where commencement certificate has been granted by the corporation but no approval has been granted by the committee, the certificate is to be cancelled.

In cases where the committee also has granted permission, the project proponent will now have to apply afresh to the principal chief conservator of forests in Nagpur as directed by SC and obtain permission within six months of the order. The deputy forest officer directed all municipal commissioners not to approve any new proposals within 1km of SGNP.

Acommittee member said the panel has been largely receiving proposals for residential building constructions within 100m of the ESZ around the park. “There are other proposals too such as laying of drains, road widening largely in Aarey Milk Colony,” said the source.

Sources said the park is surrounded by urbanisation on nearly three sides. The 4km ESZ is Aarey Colony. “In the case of Mumbai, an exception may need to be made especially if buildings close to the park need to go in for redevelopment, but that is a matter that the court will need to decide,” said sources.

Source: realty.economictimes.indiatimes.com

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