Act if immersions take place in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, says Bombay HC

MUMBAI: The Bombay HC on Thursday directed the state to take all appropriate steps to prevent immersion of Ganesh idols in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) on September 9, reports Rosy Sequeira.
"...and if any such attempt is made by committing breach of provisions of law or flouting the circulars issued by the state government or the forest department, the forest authorities are at liberty to take appropriate steps against the violators," said the bench.
Mumbai March, an NGO working for rejuvenation of rivers, moved HC urgently, referring to a report with a politician's claim that immersions will take place in SGNP, through which the Dahisar river flows.
HC backs state steps to protect SGNP ecology
In a plea in Bombay high court seeking restriction on immersions in SGNP, an NGO’s advocate, Shriniwas Patwardhan, argued SGNP is a notified national park, a wildlife and eco-sensitive area. “Entry of individuals comes with several restrictions. Today under an executive fiat permission is being given to allow immersions,” he said.
Government pleader Poornima Kantharia told the bench of Justices Prasanna Varale and Shriram Modak no such permission is given and the state is “on the point of environment”. The judges referred to the news report and remarked it “indicates as if there is permission to allow immersion”. “We are with you, if you are taking steps to protect ecology and wildlife. Every citizen needs to do it. It’s for the future generation,” said Justice Varale. The judges referred to three circulars issued by the state to BMC’s R-Central ward office to make use of artificial ponds outside SGNP and cautioning it is unsafe to undertake immersions as there are three crocodiles in the natural water body. They said considering these circulars “now we see no reason either to entertain the petition on the apprehension of the news item or to issue any further directions”.
They added the state government must follow its interim policy on immersion of plaster of paris idols “in letter and spirit”. Also, considering there will be a “large flow” in immersion of idols, it may deploy additional police force. Dismissing the PIL, judges added if “any attempt is made to mislead the public at large by making certain untrue statements, the state government shall also take appropriate steps “to prevent such mischief by taking recourse to provisions of the law”. After the order was dictated, Patwardhan urged that entry be restricted. The judges then directed the forest department to “take all appropriate steps to prevent any activity” in the SGNP area for immersion of idols.