”We direct the forest dept of the state government to take all steps to prevent any activity to enter the area of SGNP for immersion of idols. If any attempt is made in breach of law then the forest authorities are free to take appropriate steps,” the bench said.
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The court also directed the government to deploy additional force at the park to avoid any such activity. It said the state government should safeguard and protect the environment as it has to be maintained for generations to come.
”Non-forest activities are not permitted in SGNP as certain rare species of flora and fauna are found there. Human activities are minimised there,” the HC said.
The HC order comes in public interest litigation (PIL) filed by city-based NGO ‘Mumbai March’, which raised concerns over a newspaper article that quoted a local political leader stating the state forest department had granted permission to the public for immersion of Ganesh idols in waterbodies in SGNP on September 9.
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Moreover, the citizens’ group ‘Mumbai March’ held a silent protest this morning at SGNP against the decision of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to allow the immersion of the Ganesh idol in the Dahisar river inside the park on the tenth day of the festival on September 9. The protest was held at 7 am.
The bench then said it hoped the state government will strengthen its policy to prevent any activity that causes damage to the wildlife, ecology, and environment of SGNP.
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”Considering the peculiar situation that there would be a large flow in activity of visarjan and immersion of idols, the government may deploy additional force so as to prevent any damage to wildlife, ecology, and environment,” it added.
In case an attempt is made to mislead the public at large by making certain untrue statements, the state government shall take appropriate steps to prevent such mischief by taking recourse to law, the HC said.
The bench also asked the concerned police authority to consider and take necessary actions if a request is made by the forest department for the deployment of the police force.
Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/mumbai/bombay-hc-prohibits-immersion-of-ganesh-idols-inside-sanjay-gandhi-national-park-asks-govt-to-take-necessary-measures-article-94076519
