Thane civic body to develop SGNP plot into a nature park

THANE: To enhance the green quotient of the city, the Thane Municipal Corporation will now undertake development of a nature information centre at a reserved plot in Patlipada. It has also proposed to develop eco-tourism in Yeoor.

The corporation had a reserved plot of 4.42 hectares near Patlipada for nature park.

Sandeep Malvi, public relations officer of TMC, said, “The plot was under the forest jurisdiction. Last week, a meeting of PWD minister Eknath Shinde and MLA Pratap Sarnaik was held with state forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar. Following which a meeting of civic commissioner Sanjeev Jaiswal was held with Vikas Gupta, chief forest conservator.”

The forest department agreed to give the plot for a nature park.

“The landscaping and designing of the park will be undertaken by architect Arunkumar Suvarna. The park will give information about the forest, birds and medicinal plants to visitors,” Malvi added.

The park will be developed by the Thane Municipal Corporation from its own funds.

The TMC will also boost tourism at Yeoor by developing the neglected lakes in the forest in the next three months.

Tourists will also get a glimpse into the tribal culture of Yeoor. Malvi added, “There are small l akes and water streams in the Yeoor range of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park which are neglected. We will clean the water, improve its quality, fix water treatment equipment, seating arrangement for people along the lake and a safety f ence around the lake. We will also display tribal artifacts and history of these tribals in the forest along the lake. There are also some ancient British-era structures along the lakes which will be preserved.”