Mumbai: 26 builders owe Rs 177 crore for projects in Sanjay Gandhi National Park eco-sensitive zone

Construction work going on in the eco-sensitive zone of SGNP at Thakur Village, Kandivli. File pics/Satej Shinde

Since 2016, the National Board of Wildlife has cleared 26 construction projects of the eco-sensitive zone in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, but developers haven't paid for the mandatory conservation fund. They collectively owe SGNP Rs 177 crore, information obtained by mid-day under RTI has revealed. The park's eco-sensitive zone spreads up to 4 km from its boundary.

Projects in this zone must adhere to certain conditions. As per the rules laid down by the National Board of Wildlife, a developer has to pay 2 per cent of the cost of a project, in the eco-sensitive zone, to SGNP for wildlife conservation. While the money has to be paid soon after the clearance from the apex body, developers often disregard the condition.

As per the information provided to mid-day under the Right to Information Act, the projects around SGNP come within the limits of five local bodies - BMC, Thane civic body and the municipal corporations of Vasai-Virar, Mira-Bhayander and Bhiwandi.

While the total pending amount is Rs 176.9 crore, the maximum number of such projects are under the jurisdiction of the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC).

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The 2 per cent of the project cost to be paid by the developers will be used towards wildlife conservation at the park

Sources from the forest department said they are hoping that the outstanding amount will be paid at the earliest. In Mumbai and its vicinity, all projects coming up in the eco-sensitive zones of SGNP and Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary require the green signal from the apex wildlife board.

"We have repeatedly reminded the developers who have to pay the 2 per cent outstanding amount but they have not paid the money," said a senior forest department official who did not wish to come on record.

The defaulters

Projects within BMC's limits
1.Tanvi Constructions Pvt. Ltd, Dahisar: Rs 3.06 crore
2.Universe Developers, Bhandup: Rs 4.74 crore
3. Gautam Enterprise, Mulund: Rs 1.5 crore
4. American Springs & Pressing Works Co. Pvt. Ltd, Malad: Rs 12.7 crore

Within TMC limits
1.Ashar Ventures, Manpada Thane: Rs 6 crore
2.Ashar Realtors, Pachpakkhadi: Rs 5.66 crore
3. Tapir Constructions Ltd, Pachpakhadi: Rs 4.08 crore
4. Ardent Properties Pvt. Ltd, Majiwada: Rs 6 crore
5. DD Associates, Kolshet: Rs 2.44 crore
6. Dosti Enterprises Pvt. Ltd, Balkum: Rs 39.12 crore
7. Puranik Builders Pvt. Ltd, Mohagharpada: Rs 2 crore
8. Sai-Pushp Enterprises (Prarambh-II), Vadavali, Thane: Rs 4 crore
9. Sai-Pushp Ent (Prarambh-IV), Owale, Rs 2.69 crore
10. Sai-Pushp Enterprises (Prarambh-V), Owale: Rs 6.51 crore
11. Puranik Builders Pvt. Ltd, Bhyanderpada: Rs 2.87 crore
12. Unnathi Associates, Vadavali: Rs 11 crore
13. Shree Tirupati Developers, Manpada, Rs 4.9 crore
14. Square Feet Enterprises, Kavesar: Rs 3.98 crore

Mira Bhyander civic body
1. Skylark Realtors Pvt. Ltd, Ghodbunder: Rs 3 crore
2. SPH Agro Farms & Estate P Ltd, Ghodbunder: Rs 1.08 crore

Vasai Virar civic body
1. Navkar Estate & Homes, Juchandra, Vasai: Rs 6.02 cr
2. Ameya Town Homes Pvt Ltd, Sandor, Vasai: Rs 4.5 crore
3. Rashmi Ameya Developers Housing Estate Realtors Pvt. Ltd., Gokhiware: Rs 16.7 crore
4. Reliable Housing India Pvt. Ltd, Achole, Vasai: Rs 1.94 crore
5. Viva Holdings, More: Rs 6.4 cr

Bhiwandi Nizampur
1. Prakhyat Dwellings LLP, Bhiwandi: Rs 12 crore