Free Press Journal: Mumbai: Wednesday,
February 22, 2017.
In an
affidavit submitted by Vanashakti, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO),
before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has revealed that over 2,076 hectares
of land at Aarey Colony was transferred to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP)
in 1969. Thus this land should be considered forest land. They reiterate that
this land should be prevented from any kind of commercialisation and
infrastructure development activity. The issue gains importance as Chief
Minister Devendra Fadnavis is yet to clear his stand on whether a Metro carshed
will be built here.
As per the
documents received by the NGO under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, which
are with the Free Press Journal, the revenue land of Aarey Milk Scheme (as it
was known back then) measuring 2076.073 hectares was transferred to the Forest
Division of the state of Maharashtra. In July 1980, 575 hectares was extracted
for creating a recreational zone while
1501.073 hectares continued to be part of SGNP.
Further, in
October 1980, the Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (FDCM)
communicated to declare this recreational area as either reserve or protected
forests under the Indian Forest Act, 1927. Therefore, the NGO has claimed that
Aarey is a part of the park and thus is a forest and should be treated like
one.
.JPG)
.JPG)
