Ganeshotsav: No immersion of Lord Ganesh idols in SGNP, says Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Maharashtra government to ensure there is no immersion of Ganesh idols inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park SGNPA division bench of Justices P B Varale and S M Modak said the state forest department was free to take appropriate steps in law against those persons who attempt to enter the park for immersion of Ganesh idolsThe court also directed the government to deploy additional force at the park to avoid any such activity It said the state government should safeguard and protect environment as it has to be maintained for generations to comeNonforest activities are not permitted in SGNP as certain rare species of flora and fauna is found there Human activities are minimised there the HC saidAlso Read Mumbai witnesses heavy showers yellow alert issued for city adjoining areasThe order was passed in a public interest litigation PIL filed by citybased NGO Mumbai March which raised concerns over a newspaper article that quoted a local political leader stating the state forest department had granted permission to the public for immersion of Ganesh idols in waterbodies in SGNP on September 9Government pleader Purnima Kantharia appearing for the state government said the petition has been filed based on apprehension of a news item quoting a private person and that forest department authorities are vigilant enough to prevent any activity that causes damage to ecology environment and wildlifeThe HC bench then said it hoped the state government will strengthen its policy to prevent any activity that causes damage to the wildlife ecology and environment of SGNPWe direct the forest dept of the state government to take all steps to prevent any activity to enter the area of SGNP for immersion of idols If any attempt is made in breach of law then the forest authorities are free to take appropriate steps the bench saidConsidering the peculiar situation that there would be a large flow in activity of visarjan and immersion of idols the government may deploy additional force so as to prevent any damage to wildlife ecology and environment it addedIn case an attempt is made to mislead the public at large by making certain untrue statements the state government shall take appropriate steps to prevent such mischief by taking recourse to law the HC saidThe bench said if a request is made by the forest department for deployment of police force then the concerned police authority shall consider and take appropriate decisionThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever