Thane: The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) has opposed a proposal to exclude 143 acres in Mulund and Kopri from the eco-sensitive zone around the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, alleging that the move could favour a developer and weaken mangrove protection.

Party national general secretary Jitendra Awhad said the proposal followed a request from Sunstream City Private Limited. The land comprises 91 acres in Mulund and 52 acres in Kopri.

Questioning the government’s intentions, Awhad asked whether it had become a “real estate agent”. He said mangroves and flamingos were vital and announced a campaign to protect the habitat.

Party leaders said the proposal was sent to the Union environment ministry for approval but returned to the forest department after deficiencies were identified. They alleged that information had been withheld and questioned no-objection certificates issued by forest officials.

Thane district NCP-SP president Manoj Pradhan said the area was declared an eco-sensitive zone in 2021. He questioned why land covered by the notification was now being considered for exclusion.

Pradhan said Sunstream City had objected to the proposed boundaries when the zone was notified. He cited a 2005 satellite-mapping assessment in which the forest department reportedly classified the land as mudflats. He also raised concerns over waste dumping in mangrove areas.

Awhad and Pradhan demanded an inquiry and called for the suspension of the deputy conservators of forests from the Thane division and mangrove cell pending investigation. Pradhan asked, “What magic wand has been waved in just five years” to facilitate the land’s transfer to the developer?

The allegations have not been independently verified. The proposal’s status and the forest department’s response were unavailable at publication.