CM asks Thane collector to check Parsik Hill slope cutting

A green activist from the city claims that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has referred the Parsik Hill slope cutting issue to the Thane Collector after their repeated complaints. The activist alleged that full grown trees were chopped along the Parsik Hill in Belapur as part of beautification. Earlier, the chief minister's office had asked the forest and urban development department secretaries to look into the matter.

“We have received a mail from the Chief Minister stating that the complaint has been referred to the district collector for further action,” said NatConnect director BN Kumar, adding that he received the reply after his fifth complaints to the Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Kumar alleged that full grown trees were chopped and burnt down and flower pots are being lined up the hill slope in the name of beautification, Kumar pointed out sending photographic evidence of the non-stop damage to the hill. “We understand that the district collector has all the powers to intervene to check the damage to hills. Hence, we have requested the Thane district collector to stop the destruction,” Kumar said.

Forest Secretary P Venugopal Reddy has also repeatedly asked the Chief Conservator of Forests to check.

The environmental damages could be enormous with landslides during rains, depletion of water holding capacity and above all huge threat to the residential buildings.

“We have been complaining for the past two months and all that we hear is that the officials concerned are being asked,” he regretted.

Kumar has also raised the issue with Konkan Divisional Commissioner Vilas Patil in the presence of Waterman of India Dr Rajendra Singh who met the official last week.