The state government recently declared large tracts of land in the Western and Eastern suburbs as forest land, thereby putting a big question mark on the fate of the structures erected on such lands.
A number of affected citizens led by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya on Monday filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court challenging the state government’s “illogical action” in declaring developed land previously listed as non-forest to forest land. According to the petition, about 200 acres of land belonging to the BARC, 200 acres of Film City land in Goregaon, 2,000 acres near Ghodbunder Road in Borivali among other stretches of land have been declared as forest land between January 2006 and May 31, 2006. The government notification has put a question mark on the status of several landmarks in the eastern suburbs.
Government records till 2006 showed these lands as developed land and non-forest. Several constructions have taken place after getting the necessary clearances. Fresh construction on such land has been stopped by the government, which issued stop-work notices in May. The forest department has asked revenue officials to hand over all land notified as forest land including developed properties to the forest department.
The petition points out that despite repeated requests the government has not provided citizens with a copy of the notification. The petition has sought quashing of the government notification.
