Why Mumbai Can't Afford this New SGNP Plan

Mumbai is home to something truly rare — a full-fledged national park inside one of the densest cities on Earth. Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) is Mumbai’s last green lung, home to leopards, 250+ bird species, Adivasi communities, and the lakes that supply drinking water to millions. But a new Draft Zonal Master Plan for the Eco-Sensitive Zone around SGNP has raised serious concerns. On paper, it claims to “protect” the forest. In reality, activists say it may open the door to commercial construction, weaken wildlife corridors, and displace communities who have protected these forests for generations. In this episode of The Climate Brief, we break down: What the new SGNP Eco-Sensitive Zone plan actually says How zoning changes could enable real estate development Why Aarey, wildlife corridors, and tribal padas are at risk How citizens are fighting back, and what comes next Why every Mumbaikar — from Borivali to Bandra — should care This is not just a forest issue. This is a Mumbai survival issue — water, floods, heat, and the future of the city all depend on SGNP. 👉 Watch till the end to understand what this plan means for Mumbai, and how you can support the citizens pushing for stronger protections. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:24 - Chapter 1: The Last Green Lung 02:58 - Chapter 2: Draft Zonal Master Plan 07:52 - Chapter 3: Mumbai Has Fought This Before 09:22 - Chapter 4: What’s Next? Subscribe to The Climate Brief for more such stories. #SanjayGandhiNationalPark #Mumbai #MumbaiForest #Aarey #aareyforest #SaveAarey #SaveMumbai #deforestation MumbaiNews #UrbanForest #MumbaiClimate #GreenMumbai #India #TheClimateBrief #DontCutTrees