Build chowky to keep eye on mangroves: High Court

The Bombay high court directed the state government to set up a police chowky at Vakola nullah, for protecting mangroves on the banks of Mithi river.

A division bench of justice VM Kanade and MS Sonak, have also directed the government to form within a month, a comprehensive policy for protecting water bodies from illegal dumping of debris.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation filed by activist Jagdish Gandhi. It directed the collector, Mumbai suburban district and the Assistant Municipal Commissioner (AMC), H-West ward to remove all debris from mangrove forest. The bench has granted them four weeks, to remove the debris and also informed the collector to submit a compliance report.

Earlier, the court had directed Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), and the suburban collector to carry out a site inspection where illegal dumping of debris was taking place.

A report was filed before the court, which stated that MMRDA had constructed a rough road along the river, for building a retaining wall and had dumped debris on the site. Now, the same road is being used by anti-social elements to dump debris in the river.

Gandhi in his petition, has alleged that debris was being dumped on mangroves at Vakola nullah in spite of specific orders passed by high court prohibiting the same and the authorities were turning a blind eye towards the destruction.