Proposed Institute of Creative Technologies campus in SGNP’s eco-sensitive zone set to see death of 456 trees
An aerial view of the spot in Goregaon East where the proposed Institute of Creative Technologies campus is to be built. Pic/Ranjeet Jadhav
While Mumbai grapples with deteriorating air quality and shrinking green cover, 255 trees within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) will face the axe, and another 201 will be transplanted, to set up the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) campus near Film City in Goregaon East.
According to sources in the government, wildlife clearance for the project, whose estimated cost is Rs 588.82 crore, was granted during the 25th State Board of Wildlife (SBWL) meeting, which took place on January 7. The chief wildlife warden laid down 18 terms and conditions before clearing the project, but final clearance from the National Board for Wildlife is awaited.
About the project
It is said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting wants to establish this centre to provide high-quality education in the field of animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics (AVGC) across India, by making advanced and specialised courses available in this field, and also as a National Centre of Excellence for AVGC. According to the proposal, a total of 10 acres of land will be required for the facility, necessitating the removal of 456 trees from the site. Of these, 201 trees will be transplanted while 255 will be felled.
ExpertSpeak
Environmentalist Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti alleged that all government institutions were engaged in the destruction of forests and wildlife areas. “Every possible argument is put forward to justify this destruction. In a situation where the admitted position is that there is no space in Mumbai for compensatory afforestation, what can be the justification for permitting more trees to be cut? For every project, however nonsensical it may sound, the excuse is that it’s of national importance. The truth is that everything, except conservation and the preservation of nature, is of national importance.”
Mincing no words, he added, “Never in the history of Independent India has the environment been battered as it has been in the past ten years. The situation is not going to improve. It can only get worse from here on. Environmental justice is as good as dead. All institutions have lost their spine and purpose, deviating consistently from constitutional duties and obligations.”
Wildlife Conservationist Kedar Gore from The Corbett Foundation, meanwhile, said, “Cutting of trees in protected areas and ESZs must be an absolute no-no and should be made a non-bailable offence in India. Nobody with a sane mind and common sense will plan such a massacre of trees. The IICT must be established elsewhere, where no destruction of nature is necessary.”
10 ACRES
Area required for IICT campus
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