The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to conduct a public hearing next month on the draft zonal master plan for the Eco-sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), following over 100 public suggestions and objections. The master plan, which governs approximately 5,945 hectares across Mumbai and Thane districts, aims to guide future development in the ecologically sensitive area, with inputs also awaited from neighbouring municipal corporations.
Officials from BMC’s Development Plan department stated that the public hearing will take place post-Diwali, and will consolidate feedback from Navi Mumbai, Thane, Mira Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar, and Palghar. The BMC, under guidance from the Forest Department’s ESZ committee, will integrate these inputs to finalise the master plan, marking a critical step in long-delayed conservation governance. The 400-page draft, notified last month, comes nearly a decade after the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) directed its preparation. Experts highlight that the draft could influence urban development across multiple municipalities while balancing ecological protection with regulated human activity.
However, environmental activists have criticised the draft, arguing that it fails to adequately conserve SGNP’s biodiversity and natural resources. A senior environment expert noted that provisions for water body protection, soil and moisture conservation, and restoration of degraded areas are either weak or missing. Additionally, the draft’s definition of regulated activities, which permits construction, has raised concerns that commercial exploitation could undermine the ESZ’s ecological mandate. Tribal groups residing near SGNP have also raised concerns about accessibility, citing that the master plan is available only in English, which hampers their ability to submit objections. Some objections flag the exclusion of 27 indigenous settlements, incorrectly classified as slums, and potential threats to wildlife corridors, eco-tourism, and regulated industries. These issues underscore the challenges in reconciling development pressures with conservation priorities.
Officials emphasised that the public consultation process is critical to ensuring that the final zonal master plan reflects both ecological integrity and community needs. BMC experts added that the final plan will integrate all municipal inputs, establish clear sub-zoning, and offer a roadmap for sustainable development in the SGNP ESZ. This consultation marks a pivotal moment in Mumbai’s ongoing efforts to balance urban expansion with environmental stewardship, reinforcing the city’s commitment to sustainable, gender-neutral, and ecologically sensitive urban planning.
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