Authorities at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) are preparing to distribute consent forms to eligible non-tribal families living within the protected area, offering relocation to rehabilitation sites at Shirdon and Kon in Kalyan, located more than 50 km from their present homes. The forms are expected to be issued shortly after Diwali, although the proposal has encountered resistance from several residents.
Anita Patil, director and chief conservator of forests at SGNP, clarified that relocation would be voluntary. “Only those willing to relocate to Kalyan who sign the consent forms will be shifted there,” she said. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has made 6,300 flats available at the two locations.
Around 12,000 tribal and non-tribal households between Goregaon and Dahisar, along with approximately 5,200 families in the park’s Yeoor region, have been identified as eligible for rehabilitation.
The exercise follows a 1997 Bombay High Court directive that was not completely implemented. The matter returned to court after a contempt petition, prompting the formation of a high-power committee to supervise the process. Tribal communities have separately contested their classification as encroachers, maintaining that they occupied the land before it was declared a forest. Protests demanding implementation of the Forest Rights Act earlier this year also led the state government to halt certain evictions.
The proposed move to Kalyan has raised concerns over commuting expenses and access to employment. Residents say the rehabilitation sites are around 14 km from Dombivli station, with a one-way journey costing Rs 60.
“Everyone is asking how they’ll survive after spending Rs 120 and five hours on daily travel,” said affected resident Yogesh Bole.
Some residents have also questioned the financial implications of relocating from Mumbai. Former BJP MP Gopal Shetty said, “Their argument is that the flat in Kalyan costs Rs 15 lakh while their hut in Mumbai would fetch Rs 50 lakh. They want govt to pay the difference.”
Alternative arrangements are also being discussed. Former MLC Vidya Chavan said, “Our party workers have identified several PAP flats, including two entire buildings.” Forest officials said the Slum Rehabilitation Authority had offered 212 project-affected-person flats in Mumbai, while the Thane Municipal Corporation proposed accommodating Yeoor families through three ongoing cluster redevelopment projects.
Source: Times of India
