The park currently stands on a land that was leased by MMRDA to Maharashtra Nature Park and there has been an argument over where it belongs
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project has proposed that 1.68 lakh sq m of Mahim Nature Park (MNP) be included in Sector V of Dharavi. The modification proposal is now seeking suggestions and objections from the public.
Senior bureaucrats say this may help Dharavi Redevelopment Project get better attention when it calls for tenders in the future while environmentalists alleged that extra FSI if any available from MNP could be one of the reasons behind this move.
The park currently stands on a land that was leased by MMRDA to Maharashtra Nature Park and there has been an argument over where it belongs. Some claim Mahim Nature Park, which was earlier nothing but a dumping ground and now converted into a small forest, is part of Bandra Kurla Complex. However, there are some who say that the division of land by Mithi river has made it a part of Dharavi.
SVR Srinivas, CEO and officer on special duty, Dharavi Redevelopment Project, confirming the proposed modification said, "MNP is part of Dharavi. The proposed modification is to include the property in sector V of Dharavi Redevelopment Project."
An environmentalist alleged that the FSI of this area could be used and that is the reason why the move is being made however Srinivas claimed he doesn't know about the FSI and MNP was being included only because of the area being part of Dharavi.
A former officer associated with Dharavi Redevelopment said, "Despite six extensions our previous tender didn't find any takers. This may help attract eyeballs as 41 acres of land that too within city limits is a rare thing to offer. MNP is sort of a green zone and hence harsh development affecting nature cannot be done but one will have to study if the FSI available on this land if any, that can be transferred somewhere else within Dharavi."
Sector V is being developed by MHADA, where it is redeveloping the slums spread over 153 acre of land. In this bid, it has to rehabilitate over 9,000 slum dwellers and will also get 5,000 affordable homes to be sold in the market via a lottery. The proximity or inclusion of MNP will give a boost to MHADA for the redevelopment.
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