Mumbai: Destruction of mangroves due to debris dumping and sewage water along the Manori-Gorai belt near EsselWorld and sector 8, Charkop, Kandivali (West), has once again raised a concern among environment groups. The Plant and Animals Welfare Society (PAWS)-Mumbai has written to the mangrove cell head, suburban collector, additional chief secretary, and the environment department, seeking immediate action.
“Hundreds of mangroves have been uprooted through land filling, dumping of debris, and sewage water, which threatens the marine life, disrupts the ecosystem, and affects the buffer zone against floods,” said Sunish Subramanian Kunju, secretary, PAWS-Mumbai.
The complainant has alleged that at Gorai-Borivali Road, near EsselWorld, a gate and iron metal sheet have come up near the mangrove forest, thus making future destruction easy. Besides, land-filling work is under way using excavators, dumpers.
Similarly, near sector 8, Charkop, Mr. Kunju said, mangroves are being cut. As there is no proper boundary walls, dumping of construction debris has been easy, which in turn has stopped the flow of water into the forest. Sewage water is being released at many places.
When contacted, the State mangrove cell said they had received the letter and pictures on Tuesday, and an inquiry will be conducted. “We have received the letter. However, we are not aware whether this area is a reserved forest, but I have already directed my officers to visit the spot,” said N. Vasudevan, chief conservator of forest, State mangrove cell.
HC order
As per an order of the High Court, the mangrove areas have been notified as protected forests, and any activity that will harm the marine biodiversity and mangroves has been prohibited under Section 33 of the Indian Forest Ordinance 1927. Violations of this order will attract imprisonment for two years and/or fine or both.
A toll free 1926 was launched last month by the conservator of forest.
A total of 5,471 hectares of mangrove land falls under the jurisdiction of the conservator of forest.
