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The Bombay High Court has taken a decisive step to safeguard the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), constituting a High-Powered Committee under the chairmanship of former Allahabad High Court Chief Justice Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale. The move comes after a contempt of court petition alleged non-compliance with earlier judicial orders dating back to 1995, when a writ petition was first filed to ensure the park’s protection and preservation.
The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrasekhar and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad, emphasized the park’s status as a “crown jewel” for Mumbai and Thane. The Court noted the urgent need for measures to prevent further encroachments and ensure the park’s long-term protection.
To formulate an effective plan, the Court invited the Advocate General, senior counsel, and other litigating parties to propose a strategy to streamline efforts for the park’s preservation. Based on these discussions, the High-Powered Committee was formally constituted.
Committee Members
The panel, besides Justice Bhosale, includes:
- Nitin Kareer, Former Chief Secretary of Maharashtra
- Subodhkumar Jaiswal, Former Director General of Police, Maharashtra
- Anita Patil, Conservator of Forests and Director of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali
The Court outlined the Committee’s primary functions:
- Ensure the construction of a boundary wall around SGNP to prevent further encroachments.
- Suggest measures to ensure compliance with past court orders and additional actions necessary for the park’s protection.
- Recommend strategies for rehabilitating encroachers, including identification of suitable land, construction, and funding of housing for displaced occupants.
- Coordinate with relevant agencies to identify plots for rehabilitation tenements.
Supervise the removal of encroachments within SGNP. - Review interim applications pending before the High Court, including submissions from the State government, and submit reports on each matter.
The Court also directed the State Government to fully support the Committee, providing office space, vehicles, secretarial support, police assistance, and other necessary infrastructure. The Court warned that failure to cooperate or disobedience of the Committee’s requests could result in contempt proceedings against the concerned individuals.
Remuneration
Former Justice Bhosale will receive Rs. 1 lakh per sitting, while other members will be paid Rs. 55,000 per sitting.
Background of the Case
The petitioners highlighted that over thirty years have passed since the original plea, yet successive government orders since 1997 have failed to effectively protect the park. In the contempt petition, the Court sought updates from the Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf regarding encroachments and plans for rehabilitation of affected residents.
Dr. Saraf assured the Court that steps were being taken to comply with judicial orders. Out of 90 acres designated for rehabilitating encroachers, 44 acres will be immediately available for residential development, with the remaining 46 acres to be processed shortly, provided it is not part of the final forest notification.
Reporting and Transparency
The Court has directed the Committee to submit its first report within three months of its initial meeting. It also instructed the State Government to publish details of the Committee, its members, and the schedule of meetings on official websites. Minutes of the Committee’s meetings may also be published if deemed appropriate, ensuring transparency for all stakeholders.
Legal Representation
The contempt petition was argued by Senior Advocate Janak Dwarkadas along with Advocate Namrata Vinod. Other advocates involved in the 2023 PIL include Hemant Ghadigaonkar, Sandesh More, and Hitendra Gandhi. Vishal Kanade and Biswadeep Chakravarty represented an intervenor, while Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf and Assistant Government Pleader Prashant Kamble appeared for the State.
The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on February 19, 2026, as the Court monitors progress on the protection and preservation of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
