Maha Govt to Implement Rehabilitation for SGNP Slum Residents
The Maharashtra government has outlined its plan to rehabilitate slum-dwellers residing within Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The state government aims to relocate these families, ensuring they are settled outside the national park boundary, as part of a broader initiative to protect the park’s ecosystem and provide better living conditions for the affected communities.
The relocation process is focused on families residing in the park up to 2011, and the government is committed to informing the Bombay High Court about this decision before proceeding further. According to government officials, the rehabilitation efforts will primarily address 2,000 tribal families who have lived in the area even before the park’s establishment. These residents, who have long been involved in the park’s upkeep, will be provided with land in Aarey Colony and nearby revenue land. The move aims to offer them sustainable living conditions while maintaining their livelihoods.
To ensure that the relocation process is efficient and inclusive, the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will oversee the construction of new tenements for these families. Additionally, officials have identified 120 acres of land where the majority of the eligible slum-dwellers will be rehabilitated, with some relocated to areas in Thane due to space limitations in the SGNP vicinity.
The relocation plan has been complicated by issues related to land use, such as restrictions on high-rise constructions in areas like Chandivali, near Powai. The Airports Authority has raised concerns over the permissible height of buildings in this region, adding a layer of complexity to the project. The state government is also looking into the Transfer of Development Rights granted to a private developer for a project in the same area, promising to investigate any potential irregularities.
Despite these challenges, the state is committed to moving forward with the rehabilitation project, aiming to strike a balance between conservation efforts and the well-being of the communities residing within the national park.
