A Right to Information (RTI) application has uncovered pending dues from Mumbai’s developers to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) as part of the mandatory conservation fund.
This comes as 26 construction projects have already been cleared by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) since 2016. These construction projects are situated in SGNP’s eco-sensitive zone which spans 4 kilometres from its borders.
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Projects approved by the National Board for Wildlife come with a condition wherein the developer has to pay 2 per cent of the project cost towards wildlife conservation at SGNP. Developers have to pay the cost after receiving the requisite clearances from the agency.
Mid-day reports that a large number of developers are yet to pay the dues despite receiving clearances from the NBWL. The projects are situated within the limits of Vasai-Virar, Mira-Bhayander and Bhiwandi corporations in addition to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC).
The dues from all projects amount to ₹176.9 crores with 14 of the 26 defaulters situated within TMC’s periphery. “We have repeatedly reminded the developers who have to pay the 2 per cent outstanding amount but they have not paid the money,” a senior official was quoted as saying.
Also read - Over 28,000 Tourists Visited The Sanjay Gandhi National Park In January 2021
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