Maharashtra forest department seals Railways’ holiday home at Mahabaleshwar

Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani area has been declared an eco-sensitive zone by the Central government and hence it is a clear case of illegal possession from last 33 years -Wildlife Warden, Satara

KOLHAPUR: The state forest department on Monday, 18th April, 2022 sealed the holiday home of the Indian Railways at Mahabaleshwar, 33 years after the lease agreement for the place had ended.

The holiday home, constructed on five acres of land (forest survey no. 223) behind the Venna lake, was on lease for ten years (1978-1988). The Central Railway did not get the lease extended even after repeated reminders from the Maharashtra forest department.

Meanwhile, public relations officer for the Pune division, Central Railway, Manoj Jhawar, said, “Central Railway had tried to extend the lease tenure and we had contacted the forest department. But due to some reasons, this lease couldn’t get renewed. On Tuesday, 19th April, 2022 our officials visited Mahabaleshwar and had a meeting with the forest department. We have given a written letter to renew the lease agreement.”

Range forest officer Shrikant Kulkarni said, “We had sent notices to Central Railway many times. It is seen that few constructions have also been done on the premises by the railways without taking prior permission from the forest department. The railways owes the forest department dues of Rs. 50-60 lakh.”

Deputy conservator of forests for Satara, Mahadev Mohite, gave the order to seal the property. The sealing was done by Shrikant Kulkarni, forest ranger Sahdev Bhise and forest guards Lahu Raut, Ramesh Gadade and Abhinandan Sawant.

The issue came to light after honorary wildlife warden for Satara, Rohan Bhate, issued a notice to Central Railway to give up the possession of the land. Bhate had also written in this regard to CM Uddhav Thackeray.

Bhate said, “Though 33 years have passed, the Central Railway has neither extended the lease nor has sought prior approval of the central government in view of the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani area has been declared an eco-sensitive zone by the Central government and hence it is a clear case of illegal possession from last 33 years.”

Courtesy: TOI

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