Development vs Biodiversity: The Controversy Around SGNP’s New Master Plan

Whenever a natural ecosystem undergoes redevelopment or transformation, the question arises does it evolve or lose its ecological wealth? Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), one of Mumbai’s most vital green lungs, is now at the center of this debate. Home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna including leopards, deer, and over 270 bird species the park is now the focus of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) ambitious eco-tourism revamp plan.

The proposal aims to boost tourism and create a more accessible nature experience for visitors. According to the government, the plan envisions developing areas around the park in a more “evolved” and sustainable way. It includes constructing a mini-zoo, leopard safari, herbivore safari, and ropeways to enhance connectivity and tourist engagement.

While the authorities highlight economic and tourism benefits, environmentalists have raised strong concerns. They argue that such “development” could disrupt the fragile ecological balance and alter the forest’s natural character forever. SGNP acts as the city’s green heart, absorbing carbon emissions, maintaining groundwater, and offering a rare refuge of biodiversity amidst Mumbai’s growing urban sprawl.

The challenge, therefore, lies in finding the right balance between conservation and modernization. As redevelopment plans move forward, one must ask: will this redesign truly promote eco-tourism, or will it mark the beginning of irreversible ecological degradation? The future of Mumbai’s most vital green space depends on how responsibly this transformation is carried out.