In the times of coronavirus pandemic where the state of Maharashtra is emerging as the epicentre for Coronavirus in India having the highest cases of 215 positive cases till today with 88 cases in Mumbai, and the emergence of coronavirus is directly linked to deforestation, some unscrupulous elements have chopped down several trees at Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai (SGNP).
SGNP and Aarey Forest are the only two green patches existing in the metropolitan city of Mumbai. The Aarey Colony area is contiguous with SGNP to its north and therefore the two share the same flora and fauna.
Over the last three days, since the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown came into force, trees are being relentlessly cut down at SGNP. The section of Sanjay Gandhi National Park that borders Aarey from Bangoda pada is being systematically decimated. Over a hundred acres of protected national parkland has been cordoned off in many places, deforested, fifty-year-old trees chopped down and burnt in many places inside the park boundaries near the Vihar lake.
In another instance of illegal entry into the park, early this week, a man with weapons was caught along the Shilonda trail close to Kanheri Caves. A few days ago, a forest guard was beaten up by unknown persons in Filterpada slums.
It becomes critical for the government to take immediate action and prevent the unscrupulous activities going unabashedly under the garb of lockdown. If the government declares Aarey Forest and Sanjay Gandhi National Park as reserved forests, these illegal land grabbing activities can stop not just from slum dwellers but also real estate and political nexus.