Major part of tree plantation site covered in filth

Even as Maharashtra forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis prepare to inaugurate the ambitious 2-crore tree plantation programme at Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP), Dharavi, it looks like the duo will have to ignore a major part of the park that is covered in debris, silt and excreta of locals, who use the park to answer nature’s call.

Even after the park, built over a dumping ground, was given a temporary makeover with bamboo structure erected 24 hours before the event to cordon it off, the absence of a protective wall has made the epicentre of the state-wide programme vulnerable.

Built in 1994 over a dumping ground, MNP shares its boundary with the Mithi River and is only a shout away from the Dharavi slums. It is located in the middle of Bandra-Sion-Link Road and the Dharavi slums. Although it was once claimed to be a green haven, the absence of a boundary has led to slum dwellers misusing the park.

Even as officials clean a section of the park which leads to the lake and indigenous trees, the other section adjacent to the Mithi is in shambles, covered in debris, plastic waste and human excreta.

Sources confirmed that while very little effort had been taken to restrict entry of slum dwellers to the park due to lack of a boundary wall, “the lake and surrounding areas are in a vulnerable condition but were cleaned only a couple of days ago for the programme,” said a park official.

“There is temporary bamboo scaffolding and a couple of guards are manning the areas so that no children intrude into the park as usual. This will go on for a day or two and the restrictions will cool off,” said a slum dweller.