In a significant move to address the drinking water needs of Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has granted approval for the wildlife and environmental clearances required for the Gargai Dam project.
The 24th meeting of the Maharashtra State Wildlife Board was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the state secretariat. The meeting was attended by Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal, Minister of State Pankaj Bhoyar, Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik and other officers of the government.
The CM emphasised that the Gargai project is crucial for the growing population of Mumbai. With the approval of the 844.879-hectare land diversion proposal, additional drinking water will be available for Mumbaikars. He directed the Forest Department to issue the required wildlife and environmental permits in compliance with the conditions, ensuring the timely completion of the project.
The Forest Department must submit a flawless proposal to the National Wildlife Board and obtain the necessary wildlife and environmental clearances quickly to accelerate the project.
Moreover, during the meeting, there was a detailed discussion on the development projects in protected areas and ecologically sensitive zones along the tiger movement corridor. The corridor must be determined according to the map from the Centre's Parivesh Portal. The private land within this corridor should be acquired with the consent of the landowners. The Chief Minister also emphasised the need for voluntary acquisition of private land for afforestation, particularly along the tiger movement corridor near the tiger project, in exchange for forest land acquired for infrastructure projects.
Further, approvals were granted for reducing the land acquisition impact on villagers from Janaiwadi in Chandoli National Park, as well as for the approval of a floating solar energy project in the protected area of the Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary, among other crucial proposals.
