Chandrakant Valvi, a GST commissioner from Gujarat currently posted in Ahmedabad, has recently gained attention for purchasing land spanning an entire village in the scenic Kandati Valley of Satara District, Maharashtra. Reports suggest the acquired land spans over 600 acres, marking a significant investment move.
According to reports, Chandrakant Valvi, hailing from Nandurbar and presently holding the position of Chief Commissioner of GST in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, has, along with his family and relatives, acquired the entirety of Jhadani village near Mahabaleshwar.
The acquisition of such a large tract of land has shed light on the alarming trend of land grabbing in the region. Numerous significantl laws, including the Environment Protection Act of 1986, the Forest Conservation Act of 1976, and the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, are purportedly being consistently violated, posing serious threats to the environment.
These violations have severe consequences, such as habitat loss for wildlife, increased air and water pollution, and exacerbation of climate change. Unauthorized construction, deforestation, and illegal roads are contributing significantly to environmental degradation, especially in remote areas.
Furthermore, reports reveal that illegal activities like construction and mining have been ongoing in the vicinity for the past three years, seemingly unnoticed by local authorities. This raises concerns about the lack of oversight by government officials in monitoring such activities.
According to local social activist Sushant More, the alleged GST official reportedly informed villagers that their land would be acquired by the government, further complicating the situation.