Mangroves were given the status of notified forests last year but this has not prevented their destruction
Mangroves were given the status of notified forests last year but this has not prevented their destruction. Among the few remaining patches of green that remain in the western suburbs, the mangrove cover between Gorai creek and Kanderpada, faces a new threat.
In the last few months, cement plants, paver-block supplying units, and steel casting yards have illegally sprung up near the Kanderpada stretch of the green cover. The work carried out at these units is leading to degradation of mangroves in the region, said local resident and green activist Harish Pandey.
What is shocking is that these units are run by contractors endorsed and appointed by civic agencies, including the BMC and the MMRDA. The produce from these units is used for public works.
Two BMC-appointed road contractors — Bhavsar Constructions and MK Associates — operate the paver block and cement block supplying units. MMRDA-appointed Borivili skywalk contractor, Dhanashree Developers Private Limited, uses the casting yard, to assemble the beams for the skywalk. Apart from disturbing the ecological balance, these units have also increased the noise pollution in the region. “The work for the skywalk is on even during night hours,” said a local resident.
A senior official from the Dahisar BMC ward office stated that these units, being operated on rental basis, have no legal permission. Despite several complaints made by housing societies against them, not much has been done. On December 26, BMC undertook demolition of these units, following a citizen’s complaint. But all of them have re-sprung since.
While Pandey blamed the lack of will amongst the civic staff to act against these units, civic officials cited political interference as being mainly responsible for staying actions against them. Mukesh Shah, one of the road contractors, stated that his was only a temporary facility. Vishnu Gawli, manager, Dhanashree Developers Private Ltd, relayed the same information.
The green cover is located in the farthest part of the city in the western suburbs and is among the most under-developed regions. Land sharks have been eyeing it. Social activist Edwin Britto claimed that more than 150 acres of mangroves in the region had already been claimed. Illegal structures have also sprung up in the form of shops, garages, marriage halls, a private restaurant, and slum colonies, he said.
Britto has written to the municipal and state chiefs demanding that the green cover be restored immediately and action be taken against officials who have abetted the illegal reclamation. Meanwhile at odds with civic agencies, citizens have decided to take up the matter themselves. A special general body meeting to discuss mangrove destruction has been organised by one of the housing societies in the region.
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