SGNP SETS UP OFFICE IN YEOOR TO TACKLE ISSUES ON LOCAL LEVEL

THANE: Citizens wishing to file complaints or voice their concerns regarding the Yeoor or Tungareshwar ranges of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park will no longer have to travel all the way to Borivali to do so. The SGNP administration has set up an independent authority to deal with the two ranges based in Thane and Palghar for more efficient administration.

Confirming the move, G Mallikarjun, Chief Conservator of Forests and Director of the SGNP, said that two offices headed by Divisional Forest Officers (DFOs) have been set up in Yeoor and Borivali, and that the DFO, Yeoor will also be in charge of Tungareshwar.

“It is a delegation of authority, and the step has been taken with the welfare of the people in mind. A lot of issues and complaints can now be resolved at the local level without the need for people to come all the way to Borivali. Only the matters of utmost importance can be deferred to my office, while the day-to-day affairs can be handled by the DFO. We believe this will facilitate efficient administration,” Mallikarjun said.

According to environment activists, the Yeoor and Tungareshwar ranges are very rich in flora and fauna, and also ecologically fragile, which is why an independent authority to deal with their issues is a more-thanwelcome move. Around 85sqkm area of SGNP is under Tungareshwar range while 59.23sqkm is in Yeoor range of the national park.

According to Thane-based activist Krishna Tiwari, the biggest issue faced in the Yeoor range is that of encroachment.

“There are many instances of encroachment in this belt, be it agricultural, residential or commercial and special attention is needed to deal with this issue. Many proposed projects threaten to encroach further into these two sensitive ranges, and a dedicated SGNP office headed by a DFO rank officer is a very good and a long pending initiative,” Tiwari said.

Activist Rohit Joshi said that the move will benefit developers and activists. “We hope that this office will also be the appellate authority for Right To Information queries, as we have to go all the way to Borivali for this, which is doubly difficult during the Covid pandemic and the resulting restrictions. Even development authorities like MMRDA and TMC will benefit as there will be better communication between them,” he said.

The Yeoor entrance of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Thane.