JSW Loses Claim Over Crores-Worth Mangrove Land

• Govt Reclaims Mangrove Plot

• Illegal Land Deal Scrapped

• Prant Officer Nixes JSW Claim

Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098

In a major setback for JSW Steel, the Maharashtra government has reclaimed crores-worth mangrove land in Alibag after Prant Officer Prashant Dhage cancelled an illegal 2021 land transfer. Following legal appeals and activism, the land is now back under state control, marking a key environmental and legal victory.

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JSW Loses Claim Over Crores-Worth Mangrove Land
Prant Officer Reverses Dubious Land Transfer; Government Reclaims Ecologically Sensitive Plot

Prant Officer Reverses Dubious Land Transfer; Government Reclaims Ecologically Sensitive Plot

In a major victory for environmental activists and local governance, crores-worth of mangrove land allegedly gifted to JSW Steel in Alibag has now been officially returned to government control. The decision comes after nearly two years of legal and administrative battle led by social activists and forest officials.

The land in question—Survey No. 50/D of Mouje Jui Bapuji village in Alibag Taluka—was earlier transferred to JSW Steel via a controversial order issued on June 3, 2021, by the then-Tehsildar of Alibag. However, after sustained pressure from social activists Sanjay Sawant and Dwarkanath Patil, and legal interventions by the Forest Department, Alibag Prant Officer Prashant Dhage has overturned the order, restoring the land to the government.

JSW’s Claim Over Crores‑Worth Alibag Mangrove Land Overturned.

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Mangrove Encroachment & Illegal Transfer Sparked Outrage

Despite the land being designated as government-owned mangrove forest, JSW Steel’s name was entered into official land records (Satbara) without proper approvals. Notably, the Tehsildar’s office proceeded with the name transfer without informing either the Forest Department or the Raigad Collectorate. This violation occurred even as a case against JSW Steel for mangrove destruction and illegal encroachment was pending in the Alibag District Court.

Shockingly, the June 3 order went unnoticed by higher authorities for four months until social activist Sanjay Sawant uncovered the irregularity. On September 13, 2021, he formally submitted a letter to the Deputy Conservator of Forests, urging immediate action to protect the ecologically sensitive land. A similar demand was later submitted by Dwarkanath Patil, president of the Shahbaz Farmers’ Struggle Committee.

Alibag Prant Officer Cancels Tehsildar’s Order

Legal Victory After Two-Year Battle to Save Forest Land

Responding to the appeals, Alibag Prant Officer Prashant Dhage invoked his authority and annulled the Tehsildar’s 2021 decision, opening the legal path for the land to revert to government ownership. In his official ruling, Dhage highlighted several critical violations:

•The land in question is already designated as reserved forest land under government notification.

•A case regarding mangrove destruction is ongoing in the district court.

•No legal notice or prior communication was issued to the Forest Department’s competent authorities before transferring the land title.

•The transaction was completed without mandatory permissions from the Bombay High Court, which is required for any decision involving mangrove land.

SIT Highlights Pattern of Encroachments Across Coastal Maharashtra

JSW Case Symbolic of Larger Governance Failures

The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) has tracked similar violations involving mangrove lands being sold or transferred to private corporations under suspicious circumstances. The Alibag-JSW case is a prime example of revenue and land records being manipulated without ecological or legal clearances.

Despite explicit state policy and Bombay High Court directives prohibiting any change in mangrove land use without judicial consent, loopholes in local land administration continue to enable such frauds.

According to environmental watchdogs, this case sets a critical precedent. “It’s not just about one piece of land—it’s about the integrity of environmental governance,” said activist Sanjay Sawant, praising the Prant Officer’s corrective action.

JSW Loses Claim Over Crores-Worth Mangrove Land

Legal Implications for JSW Steel and Revenue Officials

While the land has been reclaimed, the controversy is far from over. Legal experts suggest that JSW Steel may face further scrutiny for alleged mangrove destruction and illegal encroachment under the Environment Protection Act and Forest Conservation Act. Simultaneously, the role of Alibag Tehsildar and supporting officials who executed the illegal land entry is likely to come under departmental and judicial investigation.

Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) has learned that the Forest Department is exploring options to file an official complaint against the revenue officials involved and seek restoration of the damaged mangrove cover through compensatory afforestation measures.

Also Read: Malshej Ghat Turns Hazardous Again Amid Storm‑Driven Landslides.

Activism and Accountability Win

Landmark Decision Strengthens Environmental Rule of Law

This decision by Prant Officer Prashant Dhage is being hailed as a landmark moment in Maharashtra’s fight against coastal land encroachment. It affirms that public land—especially ecologically sensitive zones like mangroves—cannot be gifted or sold to corporations in violation of due process.

Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) will continue to monitor developments in this case and similar land-use violations across coastal Maharashtra. The victory also underscores the power of sustained civic action in defending public resources from corporate misuse and bureaucratic negligence.