hane tehsildar’s approval for soil, stone, and murum extraction in Manpada faces immediate cancellation demands. Forest officials cite 2016 ESZ rules prohibiting mining near Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Eco Sensitive Zones act as critical buffer areas, like a shock absorber for protected regions such as SGNP. Representation pic/By Special Arrangement
A temporary mining licence issued for the extraction of soil, stone and murum in Manpada, Thane, has drawn objections from the Forest Department, which says the approval violates Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) norms around Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The Thane tehsildar granted the licence on December 20, 2025, permitting Siddharth Narayan Tangdi of Chitalsar Manpada to extract 500 brass of material across 7.38 hectares in Manpada village, Thane taluka.
On December 23, 2025, SGNP the deputy director (North) wrote to the district collector objecting to the permission, stating that mining is a prohibited activity within the notified Eco Sensitive Zone. The letter warned that if excavation is carried out, the officer who granted the approval would be held personally responsible.
In a February 6 letter, the deputy conservator of forests, Thane, sought immediate cancellation of the licence, stating it violates the 2016 Central Government Eco Sensitive Zone notification around SGNP.
What the ESZ notification says
>> The final Eco Sensitive Zone notification issued by the Central Government on December 5, 2016, classifies activities in the designated zone as prohibited, regulated or promoted.
>> Mining is listed as a prohibited activity within the Eco Sensitive Area of Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
>> The notification also identifies Survey No. 59/A/1/1 at Manpada, Thane, as forest land within the Eco Sensitive Zone.
What is ESZ?
Eco Sensitive Zones act as critical buffer areas, like a shock absorber for protected regions such as SGNP, which lies in the Western Ghats biogeographic zone and hosts endangered species. Mining and similar activities that cause pollution or habitat destruction are barred, with no exception for temporary permits.
Monitoring committee structure
As per the 2016 notification:
>> The municipal commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is the ex officio chairperson.
>> The deputy conservator of forests, Thane, is the member secretary.
>> The panel comprises 11 members from various departments, including the Sub Divisional Officer from the Revenue Department, Thane.
Key details at a glance
Licence issued: December 20, 2025
Location: Manpada, Thane taluka
Area: 7.38 hectares
Quantity permitted: 500 brass
Objection raised: December 23, 2025
Cancellation sought: February 6, 2026
What is 500 brass?
Five hundred brass roughly translates to 90 to 200 truckloads, depending on the size of the vehicles used.
Expert Speaks
Rohit Joshi, environmentalist
This temporary mining licence for soil, stone, and murum extraction is a clear violation of ESZ norms around SGNP. The forest department’s objection is justified. Commercial mining, including stone quarrying, is explicitly listed as a prohibited activity. Concerns over BMC’s draft zonal master plan for SGNP’s 60 sq km ESZ, which proposes regulated development, already raise fears of fragmentation of forests, lakes and tribal lands. Approving this licence sets a dangerous precedent, prioritising short-term gains over Mumbai’s last major green cover. The licence must be revoked immediately, with stricter enforcement and public consultation to protect the ESZ.
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