Hacked trees and the ground cleared in SGNP’s Saibangoda area

MUMBAI: Over the last three days, since the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown came into force, trees are being relentlessly cut down in Sanjay Gandhi National Park. In another instance of illegal entry into the park, early this week, a man with a weapon was caught along the Shilonda trail close to Kanheri Caves.

On Friday, a complaint was posted on the SGNP Facebook page about trees being axed in the Saibangoda area, surrounding Vihar lake, along with pictures. Naturalist Shardul Bajikar, who manages the page for SGNP, forwarded the complaint to A Anwar, chief conservator of forests who has acknowledged it. Anwar, however, did not respond to phone calls and text messages from TOI.

Bajikar said the area is close to the Filterpada slums and a few days ago a forest guard was beaten up by unknown persons in the same area. On Monday night, five forest guards were attacked by Saibangoda villagers when the team questioned them. Two of the forest guards were held hostage, and the other three managed to rush back to inform senior forest officials, who along with the police, rescued the guards. One of the guards was admitted to Balasaheb Thackeray trauma care centre with injuries.

Aarey Conservation group members took to Twitter to complain about the hacking of several 50-year-old trees, the wood being stacked neatly to be taken away and the ground being burned during the lockdown period. The national park is closed to visitors, including morning walkers, till April 14. SGNP sources said they have sought police protection to cordon off the area. "Under the present circumstances, the police are not able to help. The manner in which the trees have been cut and the ground burnt, it's as if the area is being cleared for farming," said a source.

