A visit to Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani is incomplete without a trip to the famous Mapro Garden located in Panchgani. Tourists often stop here to visit the strawberry farms and purchase various strawberry-based products. However, it appears that this iconic destination is now under scrutiny by the Satara district administration, and the possibility of it being closed down is looming.
Mahabaleshwar Tehsildar issues order
The Mahabaleshwar Tehsildar Tejaswini Patil has issued a notice to the company through the Panchgani administration directing immediate action against Mapro Garden for operating without the necessary license. This action has raised serious concerns, as Mapro Garden has been a popular tourist spot for many years.
"The garden, located in the Gureghar area near Panchgani, is running without the required legal permissions," added the Tehsildar's office.
The Mahabaleshwar Tehsildar has ordered that immediate criminal and legal action be taken against the company and its directors. This includes sealing the premises and carrying out a thorough inspection of the property and surrounding land. A Panchnama will also be conducted, and all essential documents will be reviewed to ensure compliance with local laws. Board officers have been directed to submit a self-explanatory opinion report on the matter.
Several complaints against Mapro garden
This move follows several complaints lodged against Mapro Garden, particularly regarding the traffic congestion in the area caused by the large number of tourists visiting the garden. The complaints have now escalated, leading to this latest action by the Tehsildar.
Many individuals have previously filed requests for information under the Right to Information (RTI) Act regarding the Mapro company, but no concrete action had been taken by the District Collector or the administration until now. With the recent order from the Tehsildar to initiate criminal cases against the company and its directors, the situation has attracted significant attention, particularly from local residents, environmentalists, and the broader community in Satara district.
The focus now is on whether the district administration and police will follow through with the Tehsildar's orders, or if the matter will be "cooled down" due to political or other influences. This development has created a stir in the Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani area, and it remains to be seen how the authorities will handle the situation moving forward.
