NAVI MUMBAI/NAGPUR: The Maharashtra state revenue and forest department has recently recommended to the Union ministry of environment and forests to regularize 1.28 hectares of land in Panvel taluka where the farmhouse of screenwriter Salim Khan has been located for over two decades.
The move has raised eyebrows among environmentalists who are questioning why the state government wants to legalize the farmhouse property of the Khans when it is fighting against several other such claims of private forest land acquisitions in other places.
As per the forest documents sourced by TOI, the property was purchased by Salim Khan at Vajapur, Panvel taluka, in July 1993. By 1995, Khan had constructed a bungalow at the site. Several other celebrities, including a famous cricketer, have also purchased plots in this area, collectively known as Vrindavan Cooperative Horticultural Society.
As per the reasoning of forest officials who met Salim Khan in April 2015 to discuss the issue, Khan was not aware that the area was a private forest when he bought it in 1993.
Also, the officials had noted, while the project falls under the Matheran Eco-Sensitive Zone, it was beyond the 10km distance from Karnala bird sanctuary.
Hence, it was recommended that under the relevant section of Maharashtra Private Forest (Acquisition) Act, 1975 (amended in 1978), Khan be declared as legal owner of the land.