"We hold the sanctity of the Doongerwadi lands very close to our heart and we will never ever allow anyone to take advantage of our holy lands, let alone any development,” stated all seven trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) around August 24, 2025 in a message circulated on WhatsApp. They were responding to messages on social media expressing fears that the BPP is converting the sacred grounds into a commercial venture.
Clockwise, from above left: Doongerwadi side entrance;
equipment on the estate; work undertaken at night
"For the last four months the BPP has been painstakingly working on clearing out all the debris and shrubs that have grown over the years in the Doongerwadi and Ambawadi lands. The area near Grand Paradi is being reforested with red soil and tall native trees. Also, the boundary wall which was broken in certain areas has been repaired and new fencing installed to safeguard our property for generations to come. Since the Malabar Hill area in South Bombay is a VIP zone, movement of heavy vehicles is not allowed during the day, hence the trucks were working late at night.”
The trustees say all members of the community are free to visit Doongerwadi to clear any doubts.
Sherene Vakil