Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctury in Vasai is set to lose 15 hectares of forestland for laying a pipeline to supply drinking water to the western sub-region of Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The environment ministry has already given its go-ahead to the proposal and directed the MMRDA to carry out plantation to compensate for the loss, provide free water in summer for wild animals' watering holes and construct wildlife crossings near NH-8.

The minutes of 49th meeting (in mid-day's possession) of the Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife, held on June 13, state some important points. The proposal of the 403 MLD Surya Regional Water Supply Scheme to supply drinking water to western sub-region of MMR and Palghar and Thane districts was discussed in the meeting. The IGF(WL) briefed the Standing Committee on the proposal and stated that it involves diversion of 15.694 ha of forestland.