Activist finds building material scattered across eco-sensitive zone in Manpada, Thane, weeks after mining nod was revoked
Construction debris seen dumped on the Manpada plot inside the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Weeks after a controversial mining permission inside the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park was revoked, fresh concerns have emerged at the same Manpada plot in Thane, where an environmentalist claims to have found large quantities of construction debris dumped across the site, raising questions about continued violations in a legally protected area.
The plot had earlier been cleared for the extraction of 500 brass of material across 7.38 hectares, despite mining being explicitly banned in the zone under the 2016 Central notification. Now, the alleged dumping of debris and erection of tin-sheet boundaries have triggered renewed demands for action, with activists warning that even non-mining activity in the ESZ can constitute a violation.
Tin-sheet fencing erected around the Manpada plot, which environmentalists claim may also violate ESZ norms
A portion of the plot in Manpada, Thane West, where mining permission had earlier been granted and later revoked, appears levelled
Construction material is scattered across the notified Eco-Sensitive Zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Rohit Joshi, environmentalist
In numbers
7.38 hectares: Size of Manpada land parcel in question
500 brass: Material extraction permitted earlier
1 eco-sensitive zone: Legally protected under 2016 notification
1 revoked mining licence: Permission was cancelled after forest objections
What activists found
Construction debris: Spread across large portions of the land
Tin-sheet boundary: Erected around the plot
Location: Survey No. 59/A/1/1, identified as forest land
Allegation: Dumping inside ESZ violates environmental rules
What the law says
2016 ESZ notification: Classifies activities as prohibited, regulated or promoted
Mining: Explicitly listed as prohibited
Construction debris dumping: Also considered a violation
Area status: Plot falls within notified Eco-Sensitive Zone of SGNP
Timeline of events
Dec 20, 2025: Mining licence issued for extraction
Dec 23, 2025: SGNP deputy director objects, warns officer of liability
Feb 6, 2026: Forest department seeks cancellation
Feb 17, 2026: Environmentalist visits site, alleges debris dumping
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