Mumbai: An NGO has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay high court, alleging that trees were cut for illegal and unauthorised construction of bungalows at Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani area of Satara district, which is an eco-sensitive zone.
NGO Sahayak, a socio-legal and educational forum, filed the PIL. According to the PIL, a private construction company and some locals floated a bungalow scheme.
The PIL claimed that the developer with the help of locals has undertaken illegal and unauthorised construction and sale of bungalows on the plot and he has not taken permission from Satara collector and town planning officers.
Petitioner advocate Ashish Mehta said, “According to 7/12 the plot is an agricultural land and developer has not taken permission from the collector and various other government authorities. He has carried out construction on the plot. In the brochure and on social media, the developer claimed that he had obtained necessary permissions for the construction. He also said that around hundred of trees were cut to construct the said project.”
The petition alleged that developer has violated Indian Penal Code, forest conservation act, Indian forest act, Maharashtra land revenue code and environment protection act.
The petitioner urged the court to direct collector to initiate action against illegal construction and stay further construction till the final disposal of the PIL.
Petitioner also asked the court to direct the state government to initiate an inquiry against their officers who directly or indirectly helped the developer.
