Environmental activists and citizens held a public protest near the Tikuji-ni-Wadi entrance in Thane on Saturday, demanding that forest land associated with Sanjay Gandhi National Park remain under the Forest Department and that any transfer of development rights (TDR) be halted until the court delivers its final decision.
The protest was organised under the ‘Save Sanjay Gandhi National Park’ campaign, with participation from Hari Om Trekkers and other environmental groups and residents. The demonstrators opposed the proposal to reserve the forest land in the Manpada-Tikuji-ni-Wadi area as a biodiversity park, arguing that it should continue to be treated as forest land under the control of the Forest Department.
According to the report, the protesters also demanded a stay on TDR linked to the land until the conclusion of the court proceedings. They called for no construction or other work to begin during this period. The report did not provide details of the court case, the authority responsible for the proposed reservation, the area of land involved or the status of any TDR transaction.
The demonstration began at about 7.30 am near the main entrance to Tikuji-ni-Wadi. Participants raised slogans including ‘Save the forest, save Thane’s breath’ and ‘Save the national park, protect the natural heritage’. Their demands included protection of the forest area, biodiversity and wildlife habitat around Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
The activists further opposed any encroachment, uncontrolled construction or commercial use of the forest area. The dispute places a protected natural landscape within a wider urban land-governance question: how land adjoining a rapidly urbanising city is classified, controlled and made available for development-related benefits such as TDR.
The protest was led by Swapnil Mahindrakar and Vijay Ranjane, according to the report. The available account records the demands and participation at the demonstration but does not include a response from the Forest Department, Thane civic authorities, the planning authority or any party supporting the proposed biodiversity-park reservation.
The protesters’ immediate demand is for a halt to TDR and construction activity until the court’s final ruling. Further action by the relevant authorities and the status of the court proceedings will determine the next step in the dispute.
