16 February,2026 08:02 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Debris and disturbed soil at the Manpada site where a temporary mining permit had been issued inside the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Following mid-day's report, fresh questions have surfaced over a temporary mining permit issued in Manpada, Thane, inside the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Forest officials said the Thane Municipal Corporation will seek an explanation from the Collector's office on how the permission was granted in a prohibited zone. Environmentalists have demanded an inquiry and possible offence registration.
>> Temporary mining licence issued on Dec 20, 2025
>> Allowed extraction of soil, stone and murum
>> Area: 7.38 hectares in Manpada village
>> Quantity permitted: 500 brass
Forest authorities say the site lies within the notified Eco-Sensitive Zone of SGNP.
A JCB machine at the Manpada location
>> Mining is prohibited under the 2016 ESZ notification
>> Forest land in Survey No. 59/A/1/1 falls inside the zone
>> SGNP officials objected within three days of approval
Dry vegetation being burnt at the Manpada site, where environmentalists allege preparatory work had begun despite objections over the mining permission
A forest department source said the Collector's office has stopped the work and cancelled the permission after receiving objections from SGNP.
"The municipal corporation will now seek an explanation on how permission was issued in the Eco-Sensitive Zone," the source said.
Photographs with mid-day allegedly show excavation activity at the site before the halt order.
A flattened patch of land at the Manpada site
Under the Dec 5, 2016, Central notification:
>> Activities are classified as prohibited, regulated or promoted
>> Mining is listed as a prohibited activity in the ESZ
Forest officials say this makes the approval questionable.
Rohit Joshi, Environmentalist
"A thorough inquiry must establish how the licence was granted. If work took place, an offence should be registered."
Dec 23, 2025: SGNP Deputy Director writes to the Collector objecting to mining, warning that the approving officer could be held personally responsible.
Feb 6, 2026: Deputy Conservator of Forests, Thane, writes seeking immediate cancellation of the licence, citing violation of the 2016 ESZ notification.
