Mumbai: Illegal shrines, festivals, forest fires, illegal grazing, tree felling and illicit liquor-making are increasing in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivali, which is affecting the ecology there, according to a survey done by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).
The report states that over the last few years, several illegal shrines and hutments have mushroomed in the park and festivals like Mahashivratri and Urs are taking a huge toll on the forest. Urs celebrations are held by Muslims in May at a couple of locations in the park. The number of visitors is increasing every year. In spite of having no official permission from the forest department, two dargahs celebrate Urs on forest land.
During Urs, the visitors are tented in the forest for three days and in 2007 over 7,000 people visited the dargahs. Several forest fires were reported at the time, said Krishna Tiwari, author of the report and Project Officer of the City Forest Conservation Department, BNHS.
During Urs, water holes dry up. Also, speakers play loud music, hawkers sell refreshments and crackers are lit, all of which disturb wildlife and violate the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
There is also damage during Mahashivratri. However, due to the efforts of conservation groups, the forest department and the police, damage done to the park, at least during Mahashivratri, has been reduced. Adding to the problems are some temples, like the Ayyapa temple, which has encroached on forest land. Moreover, the activities of a few other temples, like Gangeswar Mahadev temple and Mata ka Mandir in the Yeoor Hills, Thane, are growing in a clear-cut violation of the Forest Conservation Act. The report mentions that although the forest department has been informed about the issue, till now no action has been initiated.
The report adds that encroachments have flourished due to the negligence of the forest department and the involvement of politicians, land mafia and slumlords. Many villages farm on forest land.
The report also says almost every exposed area of SGNP is vulnerable to forest fire. During January-May 2007, 45 forest fires were reported. Tree felling is carried out in the Yeoor hills and Nagla block. It also states that the production of illicit liquor continues in full swing.
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