Greens oppose MNLU project; flag Goregaon land as wetland

Days after the Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Mumbai, issued an expression of interest (EOI) to appoint a project management consultant (PMC) for developing its greenfield campus on a 74.13-acre plot in Goregaon (West), environmental activists have raised strong objections claiming that the site is a natural wetland where any kind of construction is prohibited.

- Devashri Bhujbal

In a letter of objection dated October 27, activist Zoru Bhathena wrote to Chief Justice of India Bhushan Gavai and Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court Shree Chandrashekhar - the chancellor and pro-chancellor of MNLU, respectively - stating, "The plot referred to in the EOI is a natural wetland and is marked with a red X to identify it on the extract of the national and state wetland atlas for Mumbai suburban district. All plots that are marked on the wetland atlas are protected ecological sites.

No development can therefore be proposed on such a plot by MNLU."

The activist has also called upon MNLU to withdraw their proposal to develop the campus in Pahadi.