Large-scale and illicit tree-felling has put a proposed project -- the Mangrove Wetland Centre in Navi Mumbai -- under grave threat.
Large-scale and illicit tree-felling has put a proposed project -- the Mangrove Wetland Centre in Navi Mumbai -- under grave threat.
If the axing of mangrove trees continues unabated, locals and greens fear the lack of adequate protection for the green cover would prove fatal to the mangroves in the region. The mangroves are eyed by residents of villages in the vicinity as a major source of firewood.
Navi Mumbai’s civic body -- City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) -- had made claims to create cities where wilderness will be a major part of the system.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop a 289-hectare land along Palm Beach Road in Navi Mumbai was signed in May this year as part of a project jointly conceived by the Conservation Action Trust (CAT), the Cidco and the forest department.
“People cut trees and leave them in the forest. They carry the timber out after some days when it has dried up. They do this so that they can claim they picked up dry wood,” said Vivek Kulkarni, director, Mangrove Wetland Centre.
Debi Goenka of CAT alleged that the authorities had taken any corrective step despite being informed about this. “After we learnt of large-scale tree-cutting in the area, forest department officials were informed,” Goenka said. He said Cidco had still not provided security guards to protect the area. “People have easy access to the mangrove forest,” he added.
When officials visited the area, around 20 women from adjoining villages were found cutting mangrove trees. They claimed that they were collecting dry wood for fuel.
The Mangrove Wetland Centre is proposed to have a 5,000-sq m visitors’ hub, trails for bird watching and information kiosks.
“We have received complaints of mangrove-cutting in the area. A special team will be deployed to look into it,” said Shree Bhagwan, chief conservator of forests, Thane circle. When contacted, managing director and vice-chairman of Cidco, GS Gill, assured he would look into the matter and take remedial action.
a_ashwin@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}