Clara Lewis
Mumbai: Maharashtra's forest department has vehemently opposed a proposal by a BJP worker, forwarded to it by the state government's revenue department, to set up a university and an integrated township inside Borivli's Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), the world's most unique urban forest. On another proposal by the BJP worker to change the park's name to Atal Bihari Vajpayee Park (ABVP), it has asked the government to ensure the words 'national park' are not removed so there is no ambiguity about the park being a protected area.
The principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) (wildlife) has cited provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and The Forest (Protection and Conservation) Act, 1980 to oppose the university proposal within the notified area and its eco-sensitive zone and, while pointing out that name change is a policy matter, underlined the importance of the statutory status granted by the term 'national park'.
BJP activist R D Jha, who claims to be a former physics professor at a South Mumbai college, is also founder president of the Pt Yashdeo Educational Charitable Society/Trust, with one address in Mira Road and another in Mirzapur, Darbhanga (Bihar). In January 2025, Jha wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for change of name of SGNP to ABVP and seeking establishment of a 'world-class Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari University in the park.' The letter states, 'The trust is interested in developing the entire SGNP and Aarey Milk Colony under integrated township project to provide bread, cloth, shelter, education and health protection to around five lakh persons in this campus (sic).'
The government wrote to the PCCF (wildlife) seeking his opinion on the proposal. The first letter was written by the state revenue and forest department (which is distinct from the state's forest department, on whose behalf the PCCF has given his response) in January last year and a reminder was sent in February 2025. Then, on May 14 this year, the revenue and forest department again wrote to the PCCF seeking a response. The government's interest in pushing the matter has surprised many within the government.
In his response dated May 15, the PCCF stated the name change proposal must be considered by the state government at the appropriate level. With regard to the setting up of a university, the PCCF pointed out that SGNP is a notified national park and an important wildlife habitat within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. 'The establishment of a university would involve construction, public services, transport, ingress/egress of people, basic amenities and long-term institutional use which would result in change of land use and disturb wildlife. This is not in sync with wildlife conservation and protected area management,' his letter stated.
The official further states, 'If the government is intent on establishing a university, suitable land outside the notified national park area and ecologically sensitive wildlife zones may be explored.'
The 103 square kilometer SGNP stretches from Dahisar to Andheri in the western suburbs and from Bhandup to Thane in the eastern suburbs. It is contiguous with the Tungareshwar wildlife sanctuary in the north, and the Aarey Colony forms its buffer in the south. It is among the last green lungs of Mumbai, and in 1997, the Bombay High Court had ordered the removal of all encroachments, quarries, a government-run factory and restoration of the forest. The order is yet to be fully implemented.
