Mumbai: The environmental NGO Vanashakti has recently lodged a complaint with various state authorities including the forest department and the BMC about the destruction of trees and other vegetation within the Royal Palms township in Goregaon (E) for the construction of huge sheds over two-acres area.“This site near the Windsor Gate of Royal Palms complex, near SGNP, is an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). Hence, no major construction activity can be allowed here without the permission of the ESZ monitoring committee and the forest and civic bodies. However, it is disturbing to see several trees and vegetation cleared from the area in order to build huge sheds which will be rented out for film shoots. We are demanding that this illegal construction be stopped immediately,” said D Stalin, director of Vanashakti.
On Feb 17, a formal site inspection was carried out, based on the Vanashakti complaint. “The inspection team confirmed the destruction of trees, and have now communicated to BMC to take cognizance of the case, since this happens to be in ESZ,” said Stalin. He added that for the past many months, the biodiversity of this region, including wild animals, birds, has been affected.
