Chairing a high-level meeting at Vidhan Bhavan, CM Fadnavis directed that rehabilitation sites close to the park be identified and verified immediately. He emphasised a humane approach, ensuring basic civic amenities are provided to encroachers until permanent rehabilitation is completed
CM Devendra chairs a high-level meeting at Vidhan Bhavan on Friday. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Friday directed all the departments concerned to find a permanent solution to the issue of encroachments in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivali, Mumbai, by fixing the park's boundary within a definite timeframe and prioritising rehabilitation of affected residents.
Chairing a high-level meeting at Vidhan Bhavan, CM Fadnavis directed that rehabilitation sites close to the park be identified and verified immediately. He emphasised a humane approach, ensuring basic civic amenities are provided to encroachers until permanent rehabilitation is completed.
Key directives issued by CM Fadnavis
Fixing the park boundary in a set timeframe and giving first priority to rehabilitating residents living on the boundary.
Expediting rehabilitation for around 5,000 people in boundary and core areas using nearby available land, in strict compliance with high court orders.
Completing rehabilitation planning within the next one month using the simplest and fastest options from land identified by the housing department.
Exploring rehabilitation sites on the Mulund and Thane sides for encroachers from those areas.
Ensuring no injustice is done to any encroacher during the process; accurately determine the number of encroachers.
Carrying out coordinated action by Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, Mumbai civic bodies and housing and forest departments.
Preventing any fresh encroachments around the park in future.
Rehabilitating encroachers on nearby land only.
CM Fadnavis stressed that eviction and rehabilitation must resolve the issue permanently, following High Court guidelines to the letter.
The meeting was attended by Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, Cultural Affairs Minister Advocate Ashish Shelar, Public Works Minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhonsle, legislators Rajhans Singh, Pravin Darekar, Prakash Surve, Rajendra Gavit, Mihir Kotecha, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Manisha Mhaiskar, Director General of Police (DGP) Sadanand Date, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Chief Secretary (Forest) Milind Mhaiskar, Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sanjeev Jaiswal, and other officials.
SGNP, located in the heart of Mumbai, is one of the largest national parks in the world situated within a metropolitan area. It plays a vital role in flood control, serves as the catchment area for Tulsi and Powai lakes, and is the origin of Dahisar, Poisar, Mithi, and Oshiwara rivers. The park attracts lakhs of domestic and international tourists for nature trails and wildlife spotting, and is home to ancient Buddhist caves dating back 2,000 years. It has 43 padas (settlements) with over 2,000 tribal families living inside.
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