Yeoor hills now have more illegal homes: Activists

Mumbai: Activists have claimed that illegal structures by private builders and politicians in the forest area of Yeoor hill range in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) have increased over the years.

The Bombay high court, in 2009, had stated that illegal bungalows at Yeoor hills should be demolished, as they were encroaching upon the tribal land.

Following the high court order, Thane Municipal Corporation had razed 38 bungalows, leaving behind 186 illegal structures.

However, more bungalows have emerged since then and demolitions are being delayed as the structures belong to high profile personalities and politicians, asserted activists. Recently four illegal bungalows were demolished in the area. “After the demolition drive in 2009, there has been a long gap where no demolitions were carried out. It was only recently that the four bungalows were razed. As of now, around 200 illegal structures stand on Yeoor hill range,” said Rohit Joshi, Thane based activist.

According to the forest department, private players have also tried to encroach on forestlands in Thane, however, such cases are lesser in the land under the forest department.

“There are occasional reports where private construction projects have tried to encroach on forest land.  In such cases, offence is booked immediately and encroachment is removed,” said Jitendra Ramgaonkar, chief conservator of forest, Thane.