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Mangroves destroyed in Lokhandwala, authorities visit site

Mangroves in both Lokhandwala and Oshiwara are under a major threat, says Dhaval Shah

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Officials from Tehsildar office and Mangrove Cell at the site
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After facing the ire of locals as well as politicians for burning down mangroves and turning the Lokhandwala backroad into a dumpyard, officials from the Tehsildar's office as well as the mangrove cell visited the spot on Wednesday.

Speaking to DNA, Dhaval Shah, Chairman of Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizen`s Association (LOCA) said that mangroves in both Lokhandwala and Oshiwara are under a major threat. However, no action has been taken by the authorities yet to safeguard them. "One side of the Lokhandwala backroad, along the footpath starting from MHADA towers to the Jogger's Park, used to have dense mangrove patches, but everything is now being gradually destroyed by regular, unchecked dumping of debris and garbage, which are then incinerated," he said, adding that the latest incident of fire was on March 6.

The issue has also been taken up by local MNS leaders. "After we raised the issue with the officials, a Talathi from the Tehsildar office from Andheri, as well as staff of the mangrove cell visited the site. We showed them the extent to which the mangroves have been destroyed. In the past four months, there have been some eight incidents of fire," said Prashant Rane, Vice President, Ward Number 60.

A senior official from the mangrove cell said that staff were sent to the site after complaints were received. "We are investigating the matter. Rampant dumping has worsened the situation. In fact, people from nearby societies also dumped debris, furniture, and garbage there and then set them on fire," he said.

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