Mumbai: BMC proposes digital mapping of Sanjay Gandhi National Park

The Sanjay Gandhi National Park

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has proposed to prepare digital maps to demarcate the buffer zone (up to 4 kilometre) surrounding the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivli. The project is expected to help the BMC identify the boundaries of the development areas, as the proposal also includes superimposing Development Plan 2034 on the maps.

In 2016, the Centre had declared the SGNP as an eco-sensitive zone, and as per its notification, a regional plan is to be prepared for this area. Accordingly, the municipality has now decided to prepare a digital map of SGNP. For this, aerial photography will be done, and the BMC will make a zonal master plan of the area. The proposal is aimed at further putting an end to the debate on the controversial Metro car shed at Aarey. A zonal master plan, which will clearly define the boundaries of SGNP, will leave no room for further development in the eco-sensitive zone.

Work in 8 phases

To prepare this master plan, the corporation has decided to appoint a private consultant and will spend R3.4 crore for this. The plan is to be completed within 24 months after the contract has been awarded. The work will be done in eight phases and the payment will be released after the completion of each phase, according to the proposal.

The project will demarcate existing land use, biodiversity, topography, eco-sensitive and development plans of the area. It will be made after considering water restoration and management, conservation of existing water and the needs of local citizens, said civic officials.

A civic official said, "This digital mapping will mean having a zonal map ready in front of us, which will have superimposed Development Plan maps. With this, we will understand which areas are eco-sensitive, so that further development is curtailed in such areas."

Rs 3.4cr
Amount the BMC will be spending on the project