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Let us protect our mangroves

Lokhandwala-resident Sumesh Lekhi shares his view on the westcoast wetlands

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Western suburbs' residents are blessed with open natural spaces which include large stretches of beaches of the western suburbs, a national park, wetlands and mangroves.

Of these, the mangroves play a crucial role as they are a breeding ground for fish, crustaceans, birds and other animals. With the depleting fish population across oceans and increased carbon emission in the planet, the importance of mangroves have grown manifold. They are able to absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide than many other trees. These wetland ecosystems also act as a buffer against the sea. Areas near mangroves are noticeably cooler than others.

During the 2005 Mumbai floods, the water ebbed faster into the sea in places where there were natural creeks and mangroves (such as Lokhandwala). Further inland, since the areas around the creeks and rivulets are concretised, there was flooding for more than 12 hours.

It is very important that citizens protect these natural treasures; protection starts from our own neighbourhood. Report any violation on mangroves, beaches or wetlands to your local police station, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), Divisional Commissioner (Konkan Bhavan), Mumbai Suburban Collector, or environmental NGOs. Violations include dumping of debris on mangroves and wetlands, burning, barricading, killing of mangroves by making bunds to block sea water from entering the area, encroaching, throwing garbage, and more.

Maps play a key role in identifying wetlands—existing or already destroyed. Firstly, there is the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) which identifies the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas. Secondly, the Maharashtra Remote Sensing Applications Centre (MRSAC) maps have mangroves, wetlands and creeks marked on them under the direction of the High Court. Thirdly, the wetlands atlas available online and prepared by the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) identifies wetlands. Mudflats around mangroves and creeks are also protected. The above maps can be obtained from MCZMA, Office of the Chief Conservator of Forests, Mangrove Cell, or even from an environmental NGO.

In these times of environmental crisis and climate change, it is time to think global and act local so that the environment is saved for future generations.

Sumesh Lekhi is a wildlife enthusiast and citizen environmentalist

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