Religion cannot be a reason for encroachment

Representation Pic

While the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) authorities are trying to protect every inch of the 812 acres that have been declared a forest in Aarey Milk Colony, encroachment continues to be a key concern. One such encroachment is a religious structure. Political pressure is being used to prevent the forest department from constructing a protection wall.

The forest department needs all the help and support to build the wall. This is extremely important to stop encroachments and protect the green space. Authorities need to see through pressure exerted under the guise of religion. Religion, unfortunately, is often used as a tool to coerce, even if subtly somebody to let go even if rules are bent, or laws broken.

This time, it is time to push back hard against this pressure and start educating locals about how vital it is to have a wall. In the end, protecting a forest means that locals will benefit and they will suffer when there is encroachment of any kind.

Even in the city, roads, pavements and some public spaces may be taken over by an unauthorised religious structure. There is a hesitation to take action in this case because there is a fear of being seen as against a particular religion or discriminatory.

It is also easy for vested interests to whip people into a frenzy when it comes to religion, and those who are seeking to stick by the law by seeking the removal of this structure are targeted.

There are groups and vandals who want to see that the encroachment stays. They take the help of small/local leaders who can start a campaign of fear and favour and turn what is a simple encroachment issue into one of faith. It is time people too, see through these designs to divide and wear a lens of logic and good sense. Preservation of a precious space means a win-win situation for people.