Mumbai Eco Sensitive Zone Faces Tree Loss And Legal Pushback
A prominent environmental organisation has raised fresh alarm over the clearing of trees and vegetation within an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) fringe, triggering a formal complaint with civic and forest authorities. The dispute highlights tensions between development pressures and ecological safeguards in one of India’s most densely populated urban landscapes, with implications for local biodiversity and city planning.
The complaint, filed by Vanashakti, an NGO active in forest, wetland and biodiversity protection, centres on vegetation removal over roughly two acres adjacent to the Royal Palms township in Goregaon (East). According to the organisation, this clearing preceded construction of large sheds intended for use as film-shoot rental spaces — work alleged to have begun without required approvals from the ESZ monitoring committee or relevant authorities.India’s ESZ framework is designed to impose restrictions on industrial, commercial and disruptive land uses near protected natural areas to shield ecosystems and wildlife corridors from degradation. Activities that alter land cover in these zones typically require permission from dedicated monitoring bodies, along with clearances from civic and forest departments, to ensure compliance with environmental rules.
In response to the complaint, officials conducted a site inspection on February 17, confirming the removal of trees and vegetation in the area. Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), has been asked to take appropriate legal action, though clear timelines for enforcement or remedial measures have yet to emerge.Urban ecologists and biodiversity specialists point out that the ESZ surrounding SGNP is one of the last significant green buffers within greater Mumbai’s urban sprawl. Its vegetation supports a range of wildlife, birds and native plant species, while also acting as a natural regulator of microclimates and urban heat island effects. Loss of such cover — even on seemingly small plots — can fragment habitats and diminish ecosystem services that benefit city residents.This is not an isolated case: civic and environmental records show ongoing struggles over encroachments, construction and land use change in ESZs around SGNP and other sensitive green areas in the metropolitan region. Past NGO interventions have triggered litigation, tribunal directives and incipient regulatory reforms, yet repeated complaints suggest enforcement gaps remain.
Authorities must balance legitimate infrastructural and commercial interests with climate resilience and equitable urban development, especially as cities like Mumbai expand outward. Experts argue that clear, consistent implementation of ESZ norms — alongside meaningful public consultation — can help protect ecological assets while accommodating sustainable growth. For many residents, preserving these green buffers is not only an environmental priority but also essential to health, quality of life and the long-term stability of the city’s built environment.
