The march disrupted southbound traffic on the Western Express Highway between Dahisar and Kandivali as protesters moved from Borivali towards south Mumbai.
The protesters said effective implementation of the two laws was necessary to protect the traditional rights of tribal communities and prevent their displacement from forest areas. They also said tribal communities have historically played an important role in protecting and conserving forests in ecologically sensitive areas such as Aarey and Yeoor.
Vikas Baraf, a tribal resident of Yeoor and a protester, said the community would continue its opposition to the alleged displacement of tribal families.
Meanwhile, Prakash Bhoir, a tribal leader from Aarey, alleged that forest rights claims submitted by tribal residents with the required documents were still pending.
Bhoir also said several tribal settlements lacked basic amenities such as electricity, water and proper roads. He alleged that instead of resolving these issues, authorities were attempting to rehabilitate tribal residents through Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) schemes.
The protest follows a Mahagram Sabha held at Chinchpada in SGNP in April, which reportedly brought together more than 2,400 tribal residents from across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Tribal representatives at the meeting had opposed the Zonal Master Plan and demanded basic civic amenities for tribal settlements.
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