Supreme Court sets Aug 31 deadline for demolition of illegal ashram in Tungareswar

The Maharashtra State government, which failed to carry out demolitions of the Balyogi Shree Sadanand Maharaj Ashram inside Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWLS) as per Supreme Court's directives given in May 2019, was not only pulled by the apex court but has now been given the final deadline of August 31 to complete the demolition, sources informed.

The fight against illegalities of the ashram has been going on since 2004 after Debi Goenka, head of Conservation Act Trust (CAT) first filed an application in the Centrally Empowered Committee (CEC) seeking action against the ashram for several violations including encroaching on forest land. The SC on May 7 had passed orders asking State Government to demolish the Ashram within eight weeks.

According to sources, during the last hearing on July 22, the SC was told that the demolitions could not be carried out due to monsoons and a request to extend the deadline to November was made. "The SC bench was clearly unhappy and have now asked the Chief Secretary to himself file compliance report and given the deadline of August 31 for completing the demolitions," said a senior state official.

However, after having been rapped, the forest department has again begun planning the demolitions. "We can't say much as now it's an SC order and we will have to go and carry out demolitions. There will surely be a huge resistance and law and order situation but since now the State Chief Secretary himself has been asked to ensure compliance we are sure there will be enough manpower provided to us for carrying out the demolition," said a senior forest official.

Meanwhile speaking to DNA, Goenka said that he is yet to see the complete SC order, but it was unfortunate that the State government buckled under political pressure and did not carry out demolitions of the ashram. "All we hope is that now the State complies with the latest SC order and completes demolitions before August 31," he said.

According to experts, there were all sorts of violations carried out by the ashram, which now has multiple structures, shops, temples and a road that is repaired every year causing irreparable damage to the forest and posing serious disturbances to the wildlife.

"It's sad to see that the forest department themselves are so scared of the ashram that they are hesitant and reluctant to evict encroachers who have caused so much damage to the forest. The fear is also mostly due to the political patronage and muscle power that Sadanand baba enjoys," said an activist.

WHY SO IMPORTANT 

Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWLS) is located between Virar and Vasai and protects the two water catchments supplying water to Vasai