Weeks after mining permission at a Manpada land parcel within the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Sanjay Gandhi National Park was withdrawn, fresh environmental concerns have surfaced. An activist has alleged that significant quantities of construction debris have now been dumped at the same site in Thane, raising questions about ongoing violations within a legally protected area.
The 7.38-hectare plot had earlier received approval for extraction of 500 brass of material, despite mining being explicitly prohibited under the 2016 Central government notification governing ESZ areas. Following objections from forest authorities, the licence was revoked. However, recent site visits by environmentalists claim that debris has been spread across large portions of the land, and tin-sheet barricades have been erected around the perimeter.
The parcel, identified as Survey No. 59/A/1/1, is classified as forest land and falls within the notified Eco-Sensitive Zone of the national park. Activists argue that even activities unrelated to mining—such as dumping construction waste—constitute violations under ESZ regulations.
Key Details:
- Land area: 7.38 hectares
- Material extraction earlier permitted: 500 brass
- Legal status: Falls within ESZ under 2016 notification
- Mining licence: Cancelled after forest department objections
Under the 2016 ESZ notification, activities are categorised as prohibited, regulated, or promoted. Mining is expressly banned, and environmental experts state that disposal of construction debris is similarly impermissible within such protected zones.
Timeline:
- Dec 20, 2025: Mining licence granted
- Dec 23, 2025: SGNP deputy director raises objections
- Feb 6, 2026: Forest department seeks cancellation
- Feb 17, 2026: Environmentalist alleges debris dumping during site visit
Environmental groups are now urging authorities to initiate strict enforcement measures, warning that continued encroachments could undermine ecological safeguards intended to protect one of Mumbai’s most critical green buffers.
Source: Mid-day
