SGNP boundary demarcation halted after residents protest

Residents, joined by corporator Raj Surve, opposed the exercise and asked SGNP park officials to stop the work. Officials said the demarcation followed directions from the Bombay High Court

MUMBAI: Demarcation work along the boundary of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) near Abhinav Society was halted on Sunday after residents protested, claiming the land being fenced belongs to the housing society.

SGNP boundary demarcation halted after residents protest

Residents, joined by corporator Raj Surve, opposed the exercise and asked SGNP park officials to stop the work.

Officials said the demarcation followed directions from the Bombay High Court.

However, residents claimed they possessed valid property documents for 11,300 sq metres of land that the park authorities were attempting to include within the boundary.

They also said the proposed fencing would obstruct access for Adivasi students from padas inside SGNP who attend a school located within the society premises.

“Over 450 families live in 188 bungalow plots spread across 32 acres in Abhinav Society, which was registered in 1964 and received conveyance in 1966,” said Shirish Varadkar, secretary of the society.

Following the protest, SGNP director Anita Patil asked officials to coordinate with residents and explain the implementation of the high court’s order.