Greens see red over Mahim park revamp plan

MUMBAI: A proposal to turn Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP) near Mahim into a space for “outdoor life and recreation” has environmentalists up in arms.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MMRDA and Observer Research Foundation (ORF) stipulates that the foundation will prepare a master plan for a “makeover and improvisation in a 37-acre area” with the aim of getting more visitors to the biodiversity-rich green space.
However, several prominent activists feel the area along Mithi river does not need any overhaul or changes just to increase “tourism”.
Naturalist and bird expert Sunjoy Monga, who has earlier been associated with MNP, said, “I strongly feel that the wild side of nature must be left as it is. We must not try to bring in cosmetic changes only for the benefit and comfort of the city folk. This place has come up a long way since the early ’80s when the first tree was planted at MNP. Today, it has over 18,000 trees and rich varieties of birds, butterflies, reptiles.”
Environmentalist Shanta Chatterji, who had been the project coordinator for MNP between 1976 and 1994, said, “This place was once a dumping ground, but since 1994 it has been the city’s green lung. The first tree in MNP was planted on the Ganesh Chaturthi day in 1983. The US National Parks Service was asked to design the Educational Centre. Any changes now will be a step in the wrong direction.”
Gautam Kirtane, a research fellow at ORF, said, “We are not going to compromise its environmental integrity, rather the plan is only to enhance its green cover.” He said the MoU with MMRDA is just a start and the plan will have to go through various state officials and board of governors before being finalized. Kirtane said the plan includes making toilet blocks for slum dwellers who use the park.
Activist Sumaira Abdulali, niece of late naturalist Dr Salim Ali who had helped in the creation of MNP, said the park needs to be preserved in its current form. “MNP was set up to be an educational centre with natural biodiversity so that children who normally do not have access to forests may interact with nature and develop an interest in its protection. A landscaped garden now proposed to be built in its place will not serve the same educational purpose at all,” she added. MNP co-chairman Bittu Sahgal said, “I haven’t read the ORF research paper on the nature park yet. All I will say is let the people of Mumbai be informed of the plans and then take any decision.”