Environmental activists serve legal action over celebrations inside SGNP
Representing environmental non-governmental organisations Vanashakti and Yeoor Environmental Society, advocate Ronita Bhattacharya Bector sent the notice to the SGNP director, the additional principal chief conservator of forests, wildlife (West), the principal secretary of the environment department, and the chief secretary of the revenue and forest department.
In July, a Kanwar Yatra took place inside the forest, said Rohit Joshi, founder of the Yeoor Environment Society. 'Then again, another religious event took place in August. Soon, the political parties began demanding that the park remain open for idol immersion,' he said.
The notice stated that religious festivities, ceremonies, and social gatherings within the SGNP are prohibited by the Bombay High Court to prevent ecological disturbance to wildlife. In an order passed in 2022, the court directed the forest department to prevent any non-forest activities within the national park, which includes idol immersions and processions. It also directed them to take all necessary actions to safeguard the ecology, as SGNP is a protected forest under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
'The loudspeakers and other activities will harm the wildlife. People dipping into the water or immersing idols in it can threaten the crocodiles, reptiles, and other animals in the water bodies,' said Stalin, director of Vanashakti. 'Even commoners and trekkers are prohibited from going on the Dahisar riverside, but religious people are allowed to bathe in the river as part of their rituals. There should be a uniform law in the park.'
Stalin activist demanded the prohibition of these activities and for forest range officers to be deployed to ensure compliance with the high court order. The activists also demand the issuance of a public notice stating that non-forest activities are prohibited in the park. Police should be deployed to ensure enforcement of the laws, Joshi added. 'Failing to do so, a contempt of court petition will be filed.'
SGNP director Anita Patil was unavailable for a comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Minority status beyond Muslim institutions? What Uttarakhand's new bill proposes
The Uttarakhand Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, has been cleared by the state cabinet for introduction in the monsoon assembly session beginning Tuesday in Gairsain. Uttarakhand cabinet, led by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, clears law granting minority status to non-Muslim institutions.(@pushkardhami) The legislation seeks to extend minority status in education beyond the Muslim community to include Sikh, Jain, Christian, Buddhist, and Parsi institutions. Until now, only Muslim-run institutions have enjoyed minority recognition in the state. The proposed law will make Uttarakhand the first state in the country to establish a framework that both grants such status and enforces standards of accountability and academic quality. A key provision of the bill is the creation of the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority, which will serve as the nodal body to review applications, grant recognition, and monitor compliance with guidelines issued by the Uttarakhand Board of School Education. Officials told Hindustan Times the authority will ensure fairness in student assessment and promote transparency in governance. 'Once enacted, Uttarakhand will become the first state to legislate not only on granting minority status but also on ensuring academic excellence, accountability, and the protection of constitutional rights,' a senior official said. The bill requires all institutions run by Muslim, Sikh, Jain, Christian, Buddhist, or Parsi communities to obtain recognition. They must be registered under the Society Act, Trust Act, or Company Act, and properties and accounts must be maintained in the name of the institution. Officials added that the law aims to streamline a process that previously lacked uniformity, bringing it under one accountable authority. While safeguarding autonomy, it also empowers the government to oversee functioning and issue directions when necessary. According to officials, the legislation will strengthen recognition procedures, ensure greater transparency, and raise the quality of education in minority institutions, benefiting students and communities alike. The Uttarakhand Madrasa Education Board Act, 2016, along with the Non-Government Arabic and Persian Madrasa Recognition Rules, 2019, will be repealed effective July 1, 2026. With inputs from Amit Bathla
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
TN guv playing cheaper politics than opposition parties: CM
Dharmapuri: Coming down hard on Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi, chief minister said he was playing 'cheaper politics' than opposition parties. Speaking at a govt event in Dharmapuri on Sunday, Stalin said the Dravidian model govt was setting an example for the whole country by implementing schemes like free bus travel for women. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The scheme has now been emulated by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, he said, adding that in TN, every woman has saved 50,000 since DMK came to power because of the scheme. Unable to digest this, some 'mischievous elements' are spreading rumours, he said. "If opposition parties do politics, it's understandable. but the governor does cheaper politics than the opposition parties," he said. Stalin's remark was in response to governor's charge that there was a fall in education standards, rise in attacks on women, increase in number of suicides, and growing discrimination of the marginalized in the state. "All that the governor does is slander DMK govt, spread false information about DMK, insult Dravidam, print non-existent Thirukkural, refuse to grant assent for bills, and disrespect Tamil Thai Vazhthu," Stalin said. Stalin said the Dravidian model govt was the beacon for the country on many fronts. "We are not saying so. Even data released by Union govt says this," he said. Stalin also alleged that Ravi belittled TN students and made false statements regarding the state's education system. Stalin refuted Ravi's allegations that there was a rise in attacks on women in TN. On the other hand, the National Crime Records Bureau data for 2022 shows that Uttar Pradesh, ruled by BJP, tops the country in the incidents of crime against women. "If Ravi has to accuse any state for not protecting women, then it should be the BJP-ruled states," Stalin said. However, Stalin said, Ravi should continue to be governor of TN, which was exposing the BJP's false propaganda and thereby helping the DMK.
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Centre-appointed Governor Ravi doing ‘cheap politics': Stalin
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Sunday slammed governor RN Ravi for indulging in 'cheap politics' worse than the opposition as accused him of spreading 'rumours' about the DMK-led state government. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin during the launch of an instant crop loan scheme, in Dharmapuri district,on Sunday. (PTI) 'I don't care about what the opposition says, that's their job. But, do you know who is cheaper than them? The Centre-appointed Governor Ravi,' Stalin said after inaugurating projects in Dharmapuri district. Raj Bhavan did not respond to Stalin's remarks. Stalin also accused the governor of spreading rumours about his government, 'He sits in the Raj Bhavan to spread rumours about the DMK government. He will not give approval for state schemes, he will agree to print non-existent (wrong) 'Thirukural' (couplets written by Tamil saint Thiruvalluvar), he disrespects our 'Tamil Thai Vazhthu' (Tamil anthem), he gives false information about Tamil Nadu's education, health, women's safety and law and order and stirs panic,' the CM said. Stalin's attack comes amid a heightened standoff between the governor and the Tamil Nadu government. It also comes days after Ravi, in his speech on the eve of Independence Day, expressed concerns over challenges faced by the state. Ravi had said Tamil Nadu was facing four major challenges: Educational and social discrimination of the poor and marginalised; alarming rise in suicides; fast spreading drug abuse among youth; and steep rise in rape and other sexual offences against women and girls. The DMK reacted sharply, accusing the Governor of making false allegations to malign the state government. 'Tamil Nadu is the forerunner in India. It's not just our claim, even the BJP-led Union government has released data that shows that our state is doing way better than BJP ruled states. Unable to accept this fact, he is angry and irritated, so the governor is whining against us in public events,' Stalin said. 'Tamil Nadu is the number 2 state in the school education system in India. Only because our state is peaceful, we have been able to sign ₹10-crore worth of investments in the last four years. As regards women's safety, citing National Crime Records Bureau statistics of 2022, he claimed BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh tops in crimes against women. Therefore, the governor should target BJP-ruled states, Stalin said. Stalin said Ravi should continue in Tamil Nadu 'as it is good for us'. 'He is effectively ensuring that our fire for the language, race and ideology burns bright. Let him talk, I am not bothered. I am only bothered about you, want to be truthful to you who have voted for us,' he said. During the event, the CM launched a Cooperative department initiative to provide interest-free crop loans to farmers applying online. An official release said the government had earlier announced that the pilot scheme will be launched in Dharmapuri before expanding it across the state. The effort involves disbursing the loan the same day it is applied online. The Stalin-led party and its allies had also boycotted the Governor's 'At Home' reception hosted on Independence Day. With inputs from PTI
