After banks, now companies offer to make Thane forest greener
Following the initiative by two banks to increase forest cover in Titwala, two companies have now offered to contribute in a similar manner in Kausa near Mumbra and in Kalwa. Mahindra Life Space Developer Limited of the Mahindra Group and Sandoz Pvt Lt have approached the Forest department in Thane requesting it to lease out a 250-hectare plot in Kausa and a 5-hectare plot in Kalwa respectively in order to turn the patches green. Forest land can be leased out for a period of time for such purposes. According to a Forest official, the two banks have leased out 25 acres each on the banks of Kalu River in Titwala and work is in progress. Deputy Conservator of Forest (Thane) Bhaskarao Walimbe said that the proposal is pending with the Forest department and the agreement should be signed between the two parties in a couple of months' time so that the work can start in the monsoon. However, the task for the companies on both the plots will be daunting because of rocky terrain and encroachment. "In case of Kausa, the plot which is to be handed over to Mahindra Life Space Developer Limited, was an encroached plot,' said Walimbe. The Forest department with help from the police and TMC officials had cleared off the encroachment a few days ago