G.R. Dt. 10th April, 2026 – Department of Revenue and Forest – Sub- Reconstituting Committees to monitor clearance of encroachments and Rehabilitation Process in Sanjay Gandhi National Park
——————————
Reconstituting Committees to monitor Rehabilitation of Eligible Encroachers and Removal of Ineligible Encroachers from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Government of Maharashtra
Department of Revenue and Forest
Government Resolution No:- WLP- 04.25/Pra.Kra.102/F-1
Mantralaya, Mumbai- 400 032
Dated 10th April, 2026
Reference:-
[1] Order Dated 07.05.1997 passed by the Hon’ble High Court, Mumbai in Writ Petition No. 305/95.
[2] Government Resolution in Department of Revenue and Forest, bearing No.08.13/Pra.Kra.301/F-1, Dated 28.01.2014.
[3] Order Dated 14.01.2025 passed by the Hon’ble High Court, Mumbai after conducting a joint hearing of Public Interest Petition No.48/2023 and Contempt Petition No.9237/2023 in Writ Petition No. 305/95.
[4] Government Resolution in the Department of Revenue and Forest, bearing No:- WLP-24.205/Pra.Kra.102/F-1, Dated 09.04.2025.
—————-
Preface:-
The Hon’ble Bombay High Court has passed various Orders in Writ Petition No. 305/95 filed by the Mumbai Environmental Action Group concerning encroachments in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and under Order Dated 07.05.1997, directions were given to carry out Rehabilitation of the encroachers from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, prior to the date 01.01.1995, outside the Park.
Later, Samyak Janhit Seva Sanstha filed Public Interest Petition No. 48/2023 before the Hon’ble High Court vis-à-vis the Rehabilitation of encroachers from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. In the meantime, the Conservation Action Trust, too, has filed Contempt Petition No.9237/2023 (Lodging Number) before the Hon’ble High Court and it is being heard together with Public Interest Petition No. 48/2023.
On 14.01.2025, after hearing both these Petitions together, the Hon’ble High Court gave directions to take time bound action in the matter of Rehabilitation of the Eligible encroachers and removal of Ineligible encroachers from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. In furtherance thereof, a Meeting presided over by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Maharashtra State, was held on 25.02.2025 and pursuant to the directions given by the Hon’ble Chief Minister in this Meeting, a Committee was constituted under Government Resolution at Serial No. 2 to work out the procedure governing Rehabilitation of the Eligible encroachers and removal of Ineligible encroachers from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. However, lately the Government contemplated the matter of reconstituting such Committee for the purpose of fixation of eligibility of the encroachers and taking steps in compliance of the directions given by the Hon’ble High Court, the Hon’ble Chief Minister and the High Power Committee.
Government Resolution:-
Following two separate Committees are hereby constituted for the areas of Sanjay Gandhi National Park comprised in the District of Mumbai Suburbs and the District of Thane for such matters as fixation of eligibility of the encroachers on the forest lands of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, clearance of encroachments, removal of Ineligible encroachers and for undertaking Rehabilitation.
1. Committee for the Areas of Sanjay Gandhi National Park comprised in Mumbai Suburban District:-
| Sr. No. | Designation | Designation on Committee |
| [1] | Deputy Director (South), Borivali, Sanjay Gandhi National Park | Chairman |
| [2] | Deputy Collector (Encroachment Clearance), Mumbai Suburbs or the concerned Deputy Collector | Member |
| [3] | Representative of the Chief Executive Officer, Slum Rehabilitation Authority, Mumbai | Member |
| [4] | Assistant Conservator of Forests (South), Sanjay Gandhi National Park | Member Secretary |
2. Committee for the Areas of Sanjay Gandhi National Park comprised in Thane District:-
| Sr. No. | Designation | Designation on Committee |
| [1] | Deputy Director (North), Yeoor, Sanjay Gandhi National Park | Chairman |
| [2] | Deputy Collector (Encroachment Clearance), Thane or the concerned Deputy Collector | Member |
| [3] | Representative of the Chief Executive Officer, Slum Rehabilitation Authority, Mumbai | Member |
| [4] | Assistant Conservator of Forests (North), Yeoor, Sanjay Gandhi National Park | Member Secretary |
All concerned Range Forest Officers should submit the details of the encroachers from their Operational Areas to the aforestated Committees. Such Committees should proceed with the work of fixing Eligibility and Non-Eligibility of the encroachers for the purpose of Rehabilitation in conformity with the Order of the Hon’ble High Court in the instant case, as well as the directions received from the Government. Once Eligibility is fixed by the Committee, the concerned Deputy Director should draft the Order for the Allotment of flats to eligible encroachers and place them for signature before the Conservator of Forests and the Director of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali. Moreover, a Monthly Report of the business conducted by the Committees should be submitted to the Conservator of Forests and the Director, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali.
If the concerned encroacher or any other person/party is not satisfied in the matter, he may file an Application/Grievance before the concerned Grievance Redressal Committee within 15 days of the date of Order of the aforesaid Committees.
This Government Resolution has been made available on the website of the Government of Maharashtra viz. www.maharashtra.gov.in and its Computer Code Number is 202604101449588019. This Resolution is attested and issued under Digital Signature.
By the order and in the name of the Governor of Maharashtra,
UDAY CHANDRAKANT DHAGE – Digital Signature
[Uday Dhage]
Special Duty Officer,
Department of Revenue and Forest
To,
[1] The Joint Secretary to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mantralaya, Mumbai,
[2] The Deputy Secretary to the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Mantralaya, Mumbai,
[3] The Chief Secretary, Maharashtra State, Mantralaya, Mumbai,
[4] The Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Revenue and Forest, Mantralaya, Mumbai,
[5] The Principal Secretary, Department of Urban Development, Mantralaya, Mumbai,
[6] The Principal Secretary, Department of Housing, Mantralaya, Mumbai,
[7]The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), Maharashtra State, Nagpur,
[8] The Principal Chief conservator of Forests (wildlife), Maharashtra State, Nagpur,
[9] The Divisional Commissioner, Konkan Division, New Mumbai,
[10] The Conservator of Forests and the Director, Sanjay Gandhi National park, Borivali, Mumbai,
[11] The District Collectors, Mumbai Suburbs/Thane,
[12] The Slum Rehabilitation Authority, Mumbai,
[13] The Additional District Collector (Encroachment Clearance), Mumbai,
[14] All concerned Range Forest Officers.
———————-
[Text Translated by Adv. Prakash Manohar Chalke
Copyright Reserved]©
@@@@@@@@@@