SGNP to remove encroachers, construct boundary walls

Work on making more space for animals at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivli, by removing encroachments is already underway.

Work on making more space for animals at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivli, by removing encroachments is already underway.

HT Image

"Removing encroachments around the national park and building a boundary wall are two most important aspects that will serve as a deterrent for leopards to stray outside," said Sunil Limaye, director and conservator of forests, SGNP.

Of the 11,000 eligible encroachments, 9,300 have been moved to 269 sqft homes built by the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) in Chandivli.

"The lottery for the flat allotments for remaining 1,700 encroachments will be drawn by the month-end. We hope the encroachers will move out by August-end," said Limaye.

In the second phase, an additional 11,000 flats will be built by the SRA in Chandivli or Mankhurd.

"These should be constructed within the next year. Meanwhile, we are ensuring that no new encroachments come on the vacated land," said Limaye.

The absence of a boundary wall in many places along the 92-km area is another reason for leopards strolling out of the park. Only 22km of the park area has a natural boundary.

"The construction of a 2-km wall will start next month and the remaining 12km will be done by next year. The second phase covering 30km will begin alongside," said Limaye.