Mumbai Civic Committee Approves Rs 20 Crore for Wildlife Conservation in SGNP
The civic standing committee in Mumbai has given its approval for a significant payment of Rs 20 crore to the director of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). This substantial allocation is specifically designated for the implementation of a comprehensive human-wildlife conflict mitigation plan and a detailed wildlife conservation strategy within the protected areas of Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the adjacent Tungareshwar Sanctuary.
Funding Linked to Major Infrastructure Development
This financial commitment is an integral component of the ambitious Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project, a large-scale infrastructure initiative that includes the construction of twin tunnels beneath the ecologically sensitive SGNP. The GMLR project encompasses the development of 5.30-kilometer-long twin tunnels connecting Film City in Goregaon to Amarnagar in Mulund. Additionally, the project involves building 1.32-kilometer-long box tunnels and necessary access roads in the Chitranagari area, utilizing advanced tunnel boring machine technology.
The payment is being executed in strict adherence to the terms and conditions mandated by the National Board for Wildlife, which granted approval for the overall plan. According to the official proposal presented to the standing committee, the estimated total cost for the tunnel construction under SGNP, as documented in the 2017 submission to the National Board for Wildlife, stands at Rs 1,997.50 crore. The Rs 20 crore allocation represents precisely one percent of this substantial project cost, a sum that is to be deposited with the Chief Conservator of Forests and Director of SGNP.
Mandatory Conservation Measures and Implementation Timeline
As per the explicit conditions set forth during the National Wildlife Board's meeting in February 2019, the State Chief Wildlife Warden is required to prepare both a human-animal conflict prevention plan and a wildlife conservation plan for the protected area. The Rs 20 crore grant to the SGNP Director is specifically earmarked for the effective implementation of these critical environmental plans.
The comprehensive conservation and conflict mitigation strategies include a wide array of protective and preventive measures. These encompass the installation of specialized fencing, erection of informative boards and signages, construction of watch towers, deployment of veterinary ambulance teams, establishment of transit treatment centers, setting up control rooms, creation of artificial ponds, and active involvement of non-governmental organizations dedicated to wildlife preservation. Furthermore, the plans incorporate air pollution monitoring systems and dust control mitigation measures to minimize environmental impact.
According to the detailed proposal, a contractor has already been selected for the execution of these conservation works. The project implementation commenced in November 2023 and is projected to reach completion by October 2028, spanning a five-year period of active conservation efforts.
Political Scrutiny and Cost Concerns
During the standing committee deliberations, Congress corporator Ashraf Azmi raised important questions regarding the expenditure. Azmi demanded that the forest department provide transparent and proper details elucidating exactly how the allocated Rs 20 crore would be utilized and distributed across the various conservation initiatives. The corporator further highlighted concerns regarding project cost escalation, pointing out that there has been a noticeable increase in the overall financial requirements for the GMLR project, underscoring the need for fiscal accountability alongside environmental stewardship.
