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Razed ashram being rebuilt in wildlife sanctuary: Mumbai activist

Updated on: 01 July,2021 07:39 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Ranjeet Jadhav | ranjeet.jadhav@mid-day.com

City-based environmentalist says structures are being built on the site of the demolished Sadanand Maharaj Ashram in Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Vasai, road from Parol chowky being maintained for vehicles

Razed ashram being rebuilt in wildlife sanctuary: Mumbai activist

Two structures have allegedly been built at the site of Balayogi Shree Sadanand Maharaj Ashram

A city-based environmentalist Debi Goenka has alleged that the Balayogi Shree Sadanand Maharaj Ashram in Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary in Vasai is slowly being allowed to rebuild and resume activities that had stopped after the ashram’s demolition.


Goenka wrote to Nitin Kakodkar, chief wildlife warden; Sunil Limaye, additional principal chief conservator of forest (APCCF)-Wildlife West and SGNP Director and Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) G Mallikarjun.



Vehicles travel towards the ashram site on a road allegedly being maintained for the purpose. Pics Courtesy/Debi Goenka
Vehicles travel towards the ashram site on a road allegedly being maintained for the purpose. Pics Courtesy/Debi Goenka


Goenka claimed that during a visit to the sanctuary on Saturday last week, he found the road from Parol to the ashram being used by devotees in vehicles. “It is clear that the watchman at the chowky has been either bribed or instructed to allow these vehicles into the sanctuary. It is also evident that the road is being maintained to facilitate the passage of these vehicles,” Goenka’s letter stated.

Goenka also alleged that the entry register is not being maintained at the chowky. “The Ashram trustees have built two sheds within the ashram premises, post demolition. Since I did not enter the ashram premises, I am not able to comment on other work that may have been carried out, post demolition,” the letter said. Goenka asked authorities to demolish illegal structures, stop the passage of vehicles, patrol the area and instal a CCTV camera and uniformed guards at Parol chowky.

Mallikarjuna told mid-day, “Our officials will visit the site in the Sanctuary. If any encroachment has come up, it would be demolished.” While the temple at the site remains, the Supreme Court had ordered the demolition of the ashram in May 2019 and accordingly the four-storey structure was brought down on August 30.

30 Aug
Day in 2019 the four-storey ashram structure was demolished

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