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

Also Read: Protests Erupt at Sanjay Gandhi National Park Over Encroachment Removal Drive; Forest Department Claims Many Protesters Are Repeat Encroachers

The post Sanjay Gandhi National Park: Maharashtra Govt Sets Up Grievance Committee for Encroachment Rehabilitation Disputes appeared first on Square Feat India.

The move aims to ensure a time-bound and structured process for addressing long-pending encroachments within the ecologically sensitive forest area.

Background: Court-Driven Action

The decision follows multiple court orders, including:

• A 1997 directive mandating rehabilitation of encroachers settled before January 1, 1995
• Recent hearings in public interest litigations and contempt petitions, where the High Court stressed urgent action

In its latest direction dated January 14, 2025, the court instructed the state to:

• Identify eligible encroachers for rehabilitation
• Initiate eviction of ineligible encroachments
• Complete the process within a defined timeline

Two Separate Committees for Mumbai & Thane

To streamline implementation, the government has formed two independent committees:

1. Mumbai Suburban SGNP Committee

• Deputy Director (South), SGNP – Chairperson
• Deputy Collector (Encroachment Removal) – Member
• Representative from Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) – Member
• Assistant Conservator of Forest – Member Secretary

2. Thane SGNP Committee

• Deputy Director (North), SGNP – Chairperson
• Deputy Collector (Encroachment Removal) – Member
• SRA Representative – Member
• Assistant Conservator of Forest – Member Secretary

These committees will function independently for their respective jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities of the Committees

The committees have been tasked with:

Verifying eligibility of encroachers
Identifying ineligible occupants for eviction
Ensuring rehabilitation of eligible families outside the park
Submitting monthly progress reports to authorities

Forest officials will present detailed data on encroachments to these committees for evaluation.

Rehabilitation & Allotment Process

Once eligibility is confirmed:

• Orders for allotment of housing units will be prepared
• Final approvals will be issued by senior forest authorities
• Eligible encroachers will be rehabilitated outside SGNP limits

Grievance Redressal Mechanism

To ensure fairness, the government has also provided a complaint mechanism:

• Affected individuals can file appeals within 15 days
• Appeals will be reviewed by a Grievance Redressal Committee

Environmental and Urban Impact

Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one of Mumbai’s most critical green zones, playing a key role in:

• Maintaining ecological balance
• Supporting biodiversity
• Acting as a natural buffer against urban expansion

The initiative is expected to:

• Protect forest land from further encroachment
• Improve environmental conservation
• Balance human rehabilitation with ecological preservation

Conclusion

The reconstitution of committees marks a significant step towards resolving one of Mumbai’s most complex urban-environmental challenges. By combining legal compliance, rehabilitation, and enforcement, the Maharashtra government aims to bring long-term clarity and sustainability to land use within Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Also Read: Maharashtra Orders Massive Encroachment Cleanup: Small Cities Set for Major Transformation

The post Maharashtra Reconstitutes Panels to Rehabilitate Encroachments in Sanjay Gandhi National Park appeared first on Square Feat India.