India, Jan. 28 -- Nearly 400 tribal families residing inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) heaved a sigh of relief on Tuesday as forest minister Ganesh Naik announced that the drive to evict them, initiated earlier in the morning, was being halted and the issue would be discussed with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

"I have told additional chief secretary (forests) Milind Mhaiskar to study the issue," Naik said.

Prior to Naik's announcement, on Tuesday morning, the national park's main gate at Borivali was closed as forest staff initiated the drive to evict the nearly 400 families who have reportedly been allotted flats under a government scheme. Tribal residents, particularly women, congregated in large numbers outside Navap...