Sanjay Gandhi National Park Ordered to Construct 308 Watchtowers for Enhanced Monitoring
Authorities at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mumbai are under a directive from the Bombay High Court to build approximately 308 watchtowers along the park's boundary wall. This mandate aims to establish constant surveillance to prevent new encroachments, with towers planned roughly every 500 meters.
Division-Wise Implementation and Challenges
Kiran Patil, deputy director of SGNP's south division in Borivli, reported that a survey identified 61 watchtowers needed in areas with existing encroachments. "We will construct only these many watchtowers in the south division," he stated. In the north division covering Yeoor and Thane, Pradip Patil, deputy director, indicated that around 23 watchtowers are proposed for phase one in the current financial year.
However, officials express practical difficulties. "While theoretically we are required to construct 308 watch towers, on the ground it would not be possible and practically there is no requirement for so many towers," said sources. Additionally, local residents in the north division have staged angry protests against the watchtower constructions.
Boundary Wall Construction and Wildlife Considerations
The national park's boundary wall is intended to span 154 kilometers, but only 50 kilometers have been completed so far. Delays stem from:
- Slum encroachments
- Litigations over land ownership
- Existing private boundary walls
- Natural boundaries
The government has sanctioned Rs 194 crore for constructing another 70 kilometers of wall this financial year. Officials noted that the wall might obstruct wildlife movement in some areas, prompting a study to identify sections without current or future encroachment risks where walls may be unnecessary. "This will enable the wildlife to move easily," they explained.
In the south division, 16 kilometers of wall are planned, but nearly 13 kilometers are encroached, with work ongoing on only three kilometers. Kiran Patil emphasized the challenges: "Work is underway on three km."
Security Enhancements and Court Directives
SGNP has requested additional security personnel to patrol the park and identified 21 locations for protection camps. "The security personnel will be stationed at these camps. They will regularly go up to the watch towers to ensure no new hutments are coming up on the park land," officials stated.
The Bombay High Court's 2025 order requires the government to complete boundary wall construction within a year, but completion depends on relocating slum dwellers. A 1997 court order mandated relocation of slum dwellers and forest land restoration, with those settled before January 1, 1995, eligible for free housing upon payment of Rs 7,000.
Rehabilitation Efforts and Political Opposition
Rehabilitation was planned in two phases, but only 11,359 slum households have been relocated to Chandivali near Powai. Units for 299 households in phase I and 13,486 in phase II remain pending. Over time, slums have expanded, leading the state government to decide on rehabilitating all slum dwellers:
- Households from 1995 to 2011 will receive housing for Rs 2.5 lakh
- Post-2011 households will be provided rental housing
The government has identified land in Thane district for rehabilitation, but faces strong opposition from residents and elected representatives, including BJP members, complicating relocation efforts.
