Manpada Protest Demands Protection Of 193 Acres Near Sanjay Gandhi National Park

A human chain demonstration is scheduled to take place in Manpada, Thane (West) on Sunday, July 5, 2026, to demand the protection of Sanjay Gandhi National Park and its surrounding forest area. The protest, organised by local organisers and concerned citizens, will commence at 8:00 AM outside Gaurav Sweets and Namkeen on Tikuji-ni-Wadi Road.

The primary objective of the gathering is to urge the Forest Department to take action regarding the preservation of the local ecosystem. Specifically, the organisers are demanding that 193 acres of land adjacent to the national park be officially declared as protected forest land by the Forest Department.

In addition to the forest declaration, the campaigners are calling for the cancellation of all development reservations on a 100-acre tract of land. This particular parcel of land is currently earmarked for development projects in the local Development Plan. Activists argue that removing these reservations is crucial to preventing urban encroachment into the forest area.

The proposed Foothill Road project is another major point of contention for the organisers. The human chain participants plan to demand the complete withdrawal of this road project, which they believe poses a direct threat to the natural boundaries of the national park.

Furthermore, the demonstration will highlight the plight of the local Adivasi communities. The organizers are seeking formal protection for Adivasi homes situated both within and around the perimeter of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, ensuring that these residents are not displaced.

The event on Tikuji-ni-Wadi Road is expected to bring together concerned citizens who wish to voice their opposition to development near the national park. By forming a physical human chain, the participants hope to draw the attention of the Forest Department to their list of demands.