Environmentalists and activists in Mumbai have strongly objected to a proposal by a BJP worker to rename Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) as Atal Bihari Vajpayee Park (ABVP), dropping the word 'national,' and to build an integrated township and a university inside the park. Activists allege a pattern of development-led destruction of the national park, citing the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road passing under the park hills, the Borivli-Thane underground tunnel through the forest, displacement of tribals from SGNP, and the zonal master plan allowing construction in the eco-sensitive zone around the park.
Environmental Concerns Raised
Amrita Bhattacharjee, a member of the Aarey Conservation Group and activist, said that mindless concretisation of the city has left citizens dealing with numerous environmental issues. 'The city has become a heat island - summers are sizzling, monsoon brings frequent flooding, and winters make us gasp for clean air. Citizens must strongly object to the government's attempts to further dilute and destroy our national park,' she said.
Sumaira Abdulali, convenor of Awaaz Foundation, stated, 'It is a very well-orchestrated plan at the highest level to develop each and every parcel of land. The government needs to reconsider as SGNP is a source of national pride, being the only one of its kind in the world.'
Opposition to Dropping 'National'
Environmentalist and founder of Conservation Action Trust, Debi Goenka, said he is not opposed to the name 'Atal Bihari Vajpayee,' but dropping the word 'national' is unacceptable. 'A park does not need to be named after anybody, like the Tadoba Wildlife Sanctuary or the Pench Tiger Reserve. None of our politicians seem to care, and bureaucrats do not dare to tell them about the destruction. These are misplaced priorities. The government really seems unaware of the ill-effects of heat waves aggravated by indiscriminate tree cutting. At the end of the day, it is the people who suffer,' he said. Goenka urged Mumbaikars to protest tooth and nail, write letters and emails to the Prime Minister, protest on social media, and question the government's priorities.
