Illegal Temple in Tungareshwar Wild Life Sanctuary

The Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, 30 km north of Borivili,Mumbai is witnessing an unholy development — an illegal temple is being constructed by the Sadanandbaba Ashram. Despite several notices, the construction continues.

The state forest department has already issued two eviction notices to the Sadanandbaba Ashram Trust. “The trustees have ignored the notices so far. However, as per the latest notice, the trust has been instructed to vacate the place before April 30. In case they fail to comply, the construction will be demolished,” said PN Munde, conservator of forest and director, Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

However, forest department officials claimed that it was pointless trying to stop the trust’s activities since they have strong political support with around six cabinet ministers and six ministers of state supporting them. “There have been around 25 futile meetings with the state government and the trustees. The department had to face enormous political pressure every time any action was initiated against the trust,” said a senior official from the state forest ministry.

Officials claimed that they face serious problems such as threat to life and other political pressures when they try to remove the encroachment and prevent illegal activities in the sanctuary.

Apart from the illegal construction, the trustees of the ashram have also kept four peacocks — two males and two females — claimed to be donated by a devotee from Gujarat.
“Detention of peacocks is a serious offence. This is not the first time that the ashram has been involved in such an activity. They had committed a similar offence in 2004,” said Debi Goenka from Conservation Action Trust.
However, despite warnings, the trustees of the ashram do not plan to stop any of their activities. “We know that the construction of the temple is illegal and a peacock is a schedule-I animal. But we will continue in any case. No one can confiscate the peacocks. The forest department should consider the religious sentiments of devotees and co-operate with us,” said Atmaram Patil, one of the trustees.
The ashram trustees had earlier tried to get the central government permission to construct the temple. They also filed two applications to the Ministry of Environment and Forest to get the temple regularised. However, despite the rejection, the trust decided to go ahead with the illegal construction.
Unaware of the problem, state forest minister Babanrao Pachpute, said, “No construction can be allowed inside a sanctuary. I will immediately inquire about the matter and initiate stern action against the culprits.”