India’s Supreme Court Demands Three New Sites for National Park Encroachers in Two Weeks
The Supreme Court of India has ordered the Maharashtra government to find three alternative sites, each 90 acres in size, for relocating encroachers from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The court set a two-week deadline for this task and rejected the state's proposal to use a site within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of Aarey Colony.
The court's directive comes following a case filed by the Bombay Environmental Action Group, alleging decades of inaction by the government in removing encroachments and rehabilitating affected people. Despite previous court orders dating back nearly two decades, the government's progress has been slow. Over 11,000 of the 13,000 identified encroachers have been rehabilitated, but the court expressed dissatisfaction with the pace.
To expedite the process, the court has constituted a High-Powered Committee. It will oversee the construction of a boundary wall around the Sanjay Gandhi National Park and prevent further encroachments. The alternative sites for rehabilitation must be located nowhere near the national park.
The Supreme Court's order aims to accelerate the relocation process and protect the Sanjay Gandhi National Park from further encroachments. The government has been directed to identify suitable alternative sites and file an affidavit within two weeks.
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