Mumbai: Digging trenches to stop encroachment

SGNP officials digging a trench to mark boundaries and prevent encroachments

In order to prevent further encroachments in the Yeoor zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), the forest department has intensified their action against the illegal structures in the area. Authorities have started digging trenches so that people don't enter the forest or construct new structures, but the locals and some politicians are creating obstacles in the work.

In the last few days, SGNP authorities have started taking action against the illegal structures in the Yeoor range of the park at Kokanipada and adjoining areas by making trenches.

"For the last few days, the forest department has started making trenches along boundaries to prevent encroachments in the forest area in Yeoor. We have dug trenches in the Krishnanagar, Manpada and Kokanipada areas. We have also begun the work of removing invasive plant species (weeds) across the Yeoor range, including Yeoor, Chena, Ghodbundar and Nagla areas," said an official from the forest department," said a forest department official.

The Shramjivi Sanghatna even protested against the steps taken by the forest department officials. However, a forest department official told mid-day that they will continue the work of digging trenches till the onset of monsoons.

Apart from making trenches near the Manpada area, authorities are are clearing garbage.