The Maharashtra government was ordered by the Bombay High Court on Thursday to develop a plan quickly in order to rehabilitate the qualified individuals who were living in unapproved buildings within the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The court noted that it will relieve the SGNP from encroachment, which the forest officials are finding difficult to control, and rehabilitate the qualified individuals.
Samyak Janhit Seva Sanstha, a group of slum residents inside the SGNP, filed a petition with the HC asking for their rehabilitation in accordance with previous rulings from the court. In 1997 and 1999, the Bombay Environment Action Group (BEAG) filed a PIL with the HC, which ordered the state to remove SGNP encroachment and rehabilitate qualified slum people.
The court was told by Advocate General Birendra Saraf that individuals who were covered by the previous high court order and who have paid the required deposits are eligible for rehabilitation. Despite several attempts, the tenement construction has not been successful, with the exception of the rehabilitation of approximately 11,000 people.
Process was started, but because of height limitations in the flight path, the project was put on hold. There were six invitations to tender, but none were accepted. “In July 2023, a High Powered Committee (HPC) led by the Minister of Forests was established to investigate ways to accelerate the restoration process. We’re looking for ways to make the construction happen,” Saraf remarked.
It is therefore “most expedient for the state to come up with a scheme urgently to rehabilitate those who are entitled,” the bench stated, noting that these residents were eager to leave the property. In order to find a solution as soon as possible, the court has asked the attorney general to collaborate with the HPC. The matter has been scheduled for hearing by the HC on September 23.
Source: The Free Press Journal
