After mangroves and wetlands in Thane faced threats from alleged dumping by the land mafia, the Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of Sanjay Gandhi National Park is now at risk due to significant forest degradation. Large areas of forest have reportedly been cleared, and polluting industries such as cement mixing plants and casting yards have been established and are rapidly expanding.

NGO Vanashakti has written to the Thane Collector, the Principal Secretaries of the Environment and Forest Departments, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, the Chief Conservator of Forests for SGNP, the Deputy Conservator of Forests (Thane Territorial), and the Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department to address this issue. The NGO has alleged that polluting activities leading to forest degradation are ongoing inside the ESZ of SGNP at Gaimukh and Chena on the Thane side.