Tribal people crossing dam over dry Dahisar river basin with relief material of groceries at Chuna pada in the interiors of Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivali in Mumbai. File
| Photo Credit: Aadesh Choudhari
Tensions flared in Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) after hundreds of tribals protested outside the park, demanding that the eviction drive implemented by the Maharashtra Forest Department should be halted. Following the resistance, the government has temporarily stayed the eviction.
“Considering the seriousness of the matter, the eviction was suspended. However, the permanent solution will be found in the next meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and according to the decision that will be made,” said State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik.
The eviction drive, which was scheduled between January 18 and January 28, was carried out in compliance with the Bombay High Court and its appointed High Power Committee (HPC) orders, as per the SGNP officials, who claim that 385 encroacher families had already been allotted houses and have re-encroached upon forest land.
The protestors, claiming their rights to the land under the Forest Rights Act, rejected the houses in the SRA project and opposed the government’s decision to halt demolition. During the clash, protestors pelted stones at the police, who were deployed on the SGNP premises.
Condemning the pelting of stones by protestors during the clash, Mr. Naik said, “Some people will receive a house constructed by Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), while others will receive a ground+1 house in the 90-acre plot, and their source of livelihood will be taken care of.” An independent committee will also be set up to review the issue of encroachment. The committee will survey the tribal settlements and submit a report on rehabilitation options.
The case concerning the encroachment in SGNP has been going on since 1987, with the court in several hearings ordering the rehabilitation of the people residing within the Protected Area and as per names appear on the electoral roll as on January 1, 1995.
According to the SGNP authority, in 1997, the Bombay High Court directed that all encroachments on forest land within SGNP be removed. The administrative cost of ₹7,000/- per family was prescribed, as eligible encroachers were initially proposed to be rehabilitated at Shirdon near Kalyan. Thereafter, it was decided to relocate eligible encroacher families to Chandivali, Powai, Mumbai.
Under Phase-I of the rehabilitation programme, more than 11,000 eligible families were allotted tenements at Chandivali. However, 299 families could not be rehabilitated due to the non-availability of constructed tenements and were earmarked for rehabilitation under Phase-II,” as per the statement released by the SGNP authority.
As the directions of the High Court in 1997 were not fully complied with, a Contempt Petition was filed and remains pending, and HPC was formed. During the committee meeting with the stakeholders like DBS Realty, SRA, MHADA, CIDCO, MMRDA, AAI, BMC, Collector MSD, Forest Department and Police Department, it appeared that 385 encroacher families who had already been allotted tenements at Chandivali under Phase-I have once again encroached upon forest land and are living within SGNP, as per the SGNP authority.
SGNP authorities have identified such encroacher families who had previously received rehabilitation benefits and subsequently re-encroached upon SGNP land. Notices regarding their eviction were duly published at all relevant locations on January 17, and all concerned have been informed to vacate the premises on their own.
Published – January 27, 2026 10:36 pm IST
