Navi Mumbai: A reported landslide from Parsik Hill in Belapur Sector-9 on Sunday has reignited concerns among activists and residents about the rampant destruction of greenery on the hill slopes allegedly by land grabbers. While environmental groups termed it a "clear warning signal" of a potential disaster, civic authorities downplayed the incident, attributing it to "a few trees falling due to rains."
The incident reportedly occurred in a popular jogging and walking area near Sector-9 in Belapur, where several trees reportedly came crashing down along with mud, raising fears of a minor landslide. Fire brigade was informed immediately. No injuries or damage to property were reported.
However, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) officials have dismissed the incident as a simple case of tree collapse and not a landslide. “There was no significant soil movement or structural threat. The recent rains loosened the grip of soil due to which the tree fell. It was not a landslide ,” said an official.
Environmental groups such as NatConnect Foundation and Save Belapur Hills Forum have raised red flags over continued neglect of the fragile hill ecosystem. “This must be treated as a warning. We cannot wait for a disaster to act,” said B N Kumar, director of NatConnect, in an urgent message to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
He reiterated that the area is under CIDCO's jurisdiction, as confirmed by the Forest Department in earlier cases before the State Human Rights Commission.
Himanshu Katkar, another activist from Belapur said, "If one sees the location, it evidently shows that it was a landslide and not tree falling. Authorities news to take this seriously."
Residents and activists allege that land grabbers are continuously encroaching upon the hill areas — constructing illegal slums and religious structures, right under the nose of authorities. The hills lie directly across the CIDCO headquarters, adding to the frustration of locals.
Despite two human chain protests and multiple meetings with CIDCO officials, including the Chief Vigilance Officer, activists say no tangible action has been taken to prevent illegal encroachments or deforestation on the hills.
Environmentalists have called for an immediate geological survey and strict monitoring of the area to prevent further degradation and possible large-scale calamities in the future.
