Thane Municipal Corporation yet to start mangrove mapping

February 2 is celebrated as world wetlands day, yet Thane's mangroves are still waiting for attention. The TMC's mangrove committee is still waiting for satellite maps from the forest department to start mangrove mapping and take other measures in the city. Concerned environmentalists allege that this is just an excuse to avoid the work.

It was on September 17, 2018, that the Bombay High Court ordered protection of forests and a 50-meter buffer zone around them in the state. As such the Thane municipal corporation (TMC) formed a special mangrove committee in October to monitor the situation, map them and suggest and implement ways to conserve them.

However, three months have passed yet there has been no movement by the TMC on the mapping front. "We had asked for area maps with mangroves from the year 2005 till now from the Mangrove cell of the forest department. Have received them just now," says Manisha Pradan, from TMC's pollution control department. "We are yet to receive the maps of some other areas. After which we will compare them with the current reality and start mapping," she says.

Siddhesh Desai from Kalwa Rail Pravasi Sanghatna who highlighted the issue of depleting mangrove, says these are just excuses.