Cleared forest land near Vihar Lake where a 25-storey building project has sparked outrage among Mumbai environmentalists | Photo Credits: Zoru Bhathena
Mumbai: As much as two hectares of forest land near Vihar lake has been cleared for construction of a 25-storeyed building with three basements. The city environmentalists learnt about this green cover destruction recently and are up in arms against Forest Conservator and BMC. The developmental permissions is wrongly granted by the BMC on forested plots, they say.
“The project coming up in the wooded area, is squarely within the definition of ‘Forest’; and such development permission is clearly in violation of Forest Conservation Act and Supreme Court orders to protect forested plots,” enviornment activists’ Stalin D and Zoru Bhathena have said in their complaint letter to BMC Commissioner and Forest Conservator.
Cleared forest land near Vihar Lake where a 25-storey building project has sparked outrage among Mumbai environmentalists | Photo Credits: Zoru Bhathena
“We were shocked to learn that a construction crane was spotted in the wooded areas adjoining Aarey, Mithi River and Vihar lake. It is seen that nearly two hectares of forested land has been cleared for the project at plot bearing CTS No 28 of Paspoli village, where a 25 floor high tower with three basement floor is planned,” the letter said.
However, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani said that all the permission are within the rule books. “The said land is not under Coastal Regulation Zone or Non Developmental Zone. It’s true it’s near the lake, but tree cutting permissions is given following the rules. There is some minor mismatch in number of trees to be cut, but our staff is working on it,” Gagrani said speaking with The Free Press Journal on Friday.
Environmentalist Stalin D did not agree with the commissioner’s response and said the plot is definately within the forested land. “Despite court orders BMC has not yet notified forested land in Mumbai and surrounding areas. Any naked eye can tell said plot near Vihar Lake is within dense trees surrounded from all sides. It’s so wooded that we could not reach the spot to click pictures. It’s only the delay in enlisting forested land, the developers are getting entry into the protected land for construction.”
“One must realise that it is not one plot which gets deforestation, but in near future for access roads and nearby development, more green cover will be destroyed,” Stalin said.
The activists have demanded immediate revocation of developmental permissions on the said plot and further call Forest Authorities to take necessary steps to restore the deforested area. If the authorities fail to protect and restore the forested plot, they will approach the supreme court, the complaint letter states.
