Over 800 acres in Aarey Milk Colony likely to be declared as reserve forest

The area of the reserved forest excludes the land on which the controversial car shed for the 33.5-km-long underground Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro Line 1 corridor is to come up.

Aarey residents hope to replant site with trees

The forest department plan will include rehabilitation of tribals within the areas declared as reserve forest. (File)

More than 800 acres in Aarey Milk Colony, adjacent to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), may be declared as reserve forest, 200 acres more than the 600 acres proposed earlier. The colony in the western suburbs is spread over 3,000 acres.

On September 3, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had announced that a 600-acre land parcel in the colony would be declared as reserve forest. Following the announcement, on September 11, principal secretaries of forest and environment departments, Aarey administration, SGNP officials along with state Environment and Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray surveyed the areas in Aarey to be brought under protection.

Milind Mhaiksar, principal secretary (forest), confirmed that the proposed reserve forest has been increased to 800 acres following the survey.

Story continues below this ad

Under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, once this area is declared as reserved forest, the land will become unavailable for development. Section 4 of IFA means the government intends to declare the land as reserve forest by appointing a forest settlement officer (FSO). The officer will invite suggestions and objections from people, giving them 45 days, following which it shall issue a notification in the official gazette.

The area of the reserved forest excludes the land on which the controversial car shed for the 33.5-km-long underground Colaba-Bandra-Seepz Metro Line 1 corridor is to come up.

The forest department plan will include rehabilitation of tribals within the areas declared as reserve forest. It also plans to introduce eco-tourism and night safari.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Aarey Colony

Loading Taboola...

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

Statehood protest takes violent turn in Ladakh, BJP office set ablaze in Leh

India7 hr ago

Protests in Ladakh turned violent as students and youth organisations demanded statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Two elderly protesters fainted, prompting a shutdown call. A BJP office and security vehicle were set on fire. Activist Sonam Wangchuk urged for a peaceful approach. The demand for Sixth Schedule status is due to Ladakh's tribal-majority population and direct central administration.

View all shorts

Live Blog