Work on an unapproved project is presently under way in the densely forested area in and around theVagheri hillin Sattari where large-scale clearing of bushes and trees has been undertaken. In addition, excavation work has been recently undertaken inside the forest leading to massive ecological destruction.
Officials of the town and country planning department said that no such proposal has been granted any approval in this area.
Environmentalists have urged the forest department to take stringent action against those clearing the forest.
The hill is located near theMhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, notified in 1999. Though the Union Environment ministry notified a 1km eco-sensitive zone around the sanctuary, ecologically destructive activities continue at Vagheri.
Since pre-Portuguese times, the Vagheri hill has been known as the abode of the tiger.