Officials swing into action after this newspaper’s exposé; patrolling to be intensified to prevent recurrence; the forest department is working to restore the area to its original condition
The authorities clear the forested area in Aarey Milk Colony on Sunday, where debris and mud had been illegally dumped. Pic/By Special Arrangement
After mid-day exposed how debris was being illegally dumped on forest land in Aarey Milk Colony, a total of four dumpers filled with mud and stone were removed from the site on Sunday. The forest department is working to restore the area to its original condition. To prevent future incidents, senior officials at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) have instructed staff to intensify patrolling in the region and to take strict action against anyone found attempting to harm the forest.
Sources from the forest department told mid-day that the Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) Wildlife West, Dr Jitendra Ramgaonkar, as well as SGNP Director and Conservator of Forest (CF) Anita Patil, had clearly instructed the officials concerned to take stringent action against those responsible for dumping stone and mud in Aarey forest. Pradeep Chavan, the range forest officer of SGNP’s Tulsi range, without wasting any time, also made sure to visit the site, and a preliminary offence report (POR) was registered in the case.
Chavan told mid-day, “The process of removing illegally dumped stones and mud is underway. As of Sunday morning, eight dumpers full of debris have been cleared from the site, and another three to four dumpers will be removed soon. I have directed my staff to intensify patrolling in the area, and strict action will be taken against anyone found responsible for causing damage to the forest or wildlife.”
On October 31, mid-day revealed that large amounts of soil had been dumped within forest-declared stretches of Aarey Milk Colony, one of Mumbai's last remaining green zones. Following the report, officials rushed to the spot and began to clear the land with machinery. Dr Ramgaonkar and Patil, who are known for their firm and proactive style of functioning, then swung into action.
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