In a significant move impacting thousands of residents around Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the Maharashtra government has approved the formation of a Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) to handle disputes related to eligibility and rehabilitation of encroachers on forest land.
The decision comes through a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Revenue and Forest Department on April 24, 2026, in compliance with multiple directions of the Bombay High Court, including long-standing litigation dating back to 1995.
Why This Committee Was Needed
The government has been undertaking eviction and rehabilitation of encroachments within the forest land of Sanjay Gandhi National Park across Mumbai Suburban and Thane districts.
Earlier, committees were already formed to decide whether encroachers are eligible or ineligible for rehabilitation. However, after these decisions, many individuals continued to file complaints and objections.
To address these disputes fairly and within a fixed timeline, the government has now created a dedicated appellate-level grievance mechanism.
Who Is on the Committee
The newly formed Grievance Redressal Committee will consist of:
- Chairperson: Abhay Tipse (Retired Judge)
- Member: Kiran Dabholkar (Retired Assistant Conservator of Forests)
Additionally, the Assistant Conservator of Forests (Technical), SGNP Borivali will act as the coordinator for the committee.
What the Committee Will Do
The GRC will:
- Hear complaints from individuals after eligibility/ineligibility is decided
- Review disputes regarding rehabilitation under encroachment removal drives
- Take a final decision on eligibility status
This effectively makes the committee the last forum for such disputes at the administrative level.
Strict Timelines Introduced
The government has introduced clear deadlines:
- Appeal window:
Aggrieved individuals can file complaints within 30 days of the earlier decision - Disposal timeline:
The committee must resolve complaints within 90 days of filing - Late applications:
Complaints filed after 30 days will not be accepted
Finality of Decisions
The GR clearly states that:
The decision taken by the Grievance Redressal Committee on eligibility will be final.
This is aimed at preventing prolonged disputes and ensuring faster implementation of eviction and rehabilitation processes.
Financial Provisions
- Committee members will receive an honorarium of ₹50,000 per month
- The payment will be made by the Sanjay Gandhi National Park administration
Legal Background
This move follows:
- Bombay High Court orders (1997 and January 2025)
- Ongoing Public Interest Litigations (PILs)
- Previous GRs issued in 2014, 2025, and April 2026
The court has consistently pushed the state to streamline encroachment removal and rehabilitation, while ensuring due process for affected individuals.
Why This Matters
Encroachments in and around Sanjay Gandhi National Park have been a long-standing urban and environmental issue in Mumbai. While eviction drives are necessary for forest protection, they often impact vulnerable populations.
This new mechanism attempts to strike a balance by:
- Ensuring fair hearing for affected individuals
- Bringing time-bound resolution
- Reducing litigation burden on courts
