Bombay HC Forms Panel to Protect Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Bombay High Court Sets Up High-Powered Panel to Protect Sanjay Gandhi National Park After 30 Years of Delay

Court says successive governments failed to act on orders to safeguard Mumbai’s green lung

Four-member committee to oversee boundary wall, remove encroachments, and plan rehabilitation

By Our Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: October 24, 2025: The Bombay High Court has taken a decisive step to protect one of Mumbai’s most important green spaces — the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). After nearly three decades of unfulfilled promises and ignored court orders, the court has set up a high-powered committee to ensure that the park is preserved for future generations.

The committee will be led by Justice Dilip Babasaheb Bhosale, former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court. Other members include former Maharashtra Chief Secretary Nitin Kareer, former Director General of Police Subodh Jaiswal, and SGNP Director Anita Patil.

This move comes after the court observed that successive governments had failed to implement its directions to safeguard the 104 sq. km. park, which is home to leopards, over 1,000 plant species, and the historic Kanheri Caves dating back to the 1st century BCE.

Why the Court Stepped In

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad were hearing a contempt petition and a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by an NGO. The petition alleged “gross contempt” of multiple court orders issued since the late 1990s to protect SGNP.

The court noted that despite repeated judicial interventions, the state government had not taken effective steps to:

Complete the boundary wall around the park
Remove illegal encroachments
Implement rehabilitation plans for displaced residents
Prevent further destruction of the park’s ecology

The judges remarked that the failure to act had led to fresh encroachments and further degradation of the park.

The Role of the High-Powered Committee

The newly formed committee has been given wide-ranging powers and responsibilities. Its main tasks include:

Boundary Wall Construction: Supervising the long-delayed construction of a protective wall around the park to prevent illegal entry and encroachments.
Encroachment Removal: Identifying and removing unauthorized settlements inside the park.
Rehabilitation Plans: Ensuring humane relocation and rehabilitation of people displaced from the park area.
Monitoring Compliance: Making sure that all previous court orders related to SGNP are finally implemented.
Reporting to Court: Submitting its first progress report within three months.

The court has made it clear that the committee’s work will be closely monitored, and any failure to comply will invite strict action.

Why Sanjay Gandhi National Park Matters

Sanjay Gandhi National Park is not just another green patch in Mumbai. It is one of the few national parks in the world located within city limits. Spread across Mumbai and Thane, it serves as the lungs of the city, absorbing pollution and providing fresh air to millions of residents.

Key highlights of SGNP:

Biodiversity hotspot: Home to leopards, deer, monkeys, and over 250 species of birds.
Cultural heritage: Houses the Kanheri Caves, a group of ancient Buddhist caves dating back over 2,000 years.
Tourist attraction: Visited by over 2 million people annually.
Environmental shield: Acts as a natural barrier against climate change impacts in Mumbai.

Environmentalists have long warned that unchecked encroachments, illegal construction, and government inaction could permanently damage this fragile ecosystem.

Past Failures and Delays

The issue of protecting SGNP is not new. Since the 1990s, the Bombay High Court has passed several orders directing the state government to:

Build a boundary wall
Relocate encroachers
Prevent further illegal settlements

However, successive governments failed to act decisively. Political pressures, lack of funds, and administrative delays were often cited as reasons. Meanwhile, the park continued to face threats from:

Illegal slums and encroachments
Poaching and deforestation
Pollution from nearby industries and traffic

The court’s latest order is seen as a last warning to the authorities to finally take action.

Public and Expert Reactions

Environmentalists and urban planners have welcomed the court’s decision. Many believe that the formation of a high-powered committee with experienced members is the only way to break the cycle of inaction.

Environmentalists: Say this is a “historic opportunity” to save Mumbai’s green lung.
Urban planners: Stress that protecting SGNP is crucial for the city’s long-term sustainability.
Residents: Some fear displacement but agree that rehabilitation plans must be fair and humane.

What Happens Next

The committee has been asked to submit its first report within three months. This report will cover:

Progress on boundary wall construction
Steps taken to remove encroachments
Plans for rehabilitation of displaced families
Recommendations for long-term protection of SGNP

The High Court has also warned that if the committee fails to deliver, it will not hesitate to take stronger measures.

Conclusion

The Bombay High Court’s decision to form a high-powered committee marks a turning point in the decades-long struggle to protect Sanjay Gandhi National Park. For nearly 30 years, court orders were ignored, and the park continued to suffer. Now, with a powerful panel in place, there is renewed hope that Mumbai’s most precious green space will finally get the protection it deserves.

If implemented effectively, this move could set a precedent for the protection of other urban forests and natural reserves across India.