The Mira-Bhayander administration finally decided to get serious against large-scale mangrove destruction and illegal creek reclamation in areas under its jurisdiction.
MUMBAI: The Mira-Bhayander administration finally decided to get serious against large-scale mangrove destruction and illegal creek reclamation in areas under its jurisdiction.
On March 20, it lodged police complaints against Ostwal Constructions and Shri Mataji Developers for allegedly destroying mangroves in CRZ-I areas and illegally reclaiming the creek. A case was registered under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation of Trees Act 1975. No arrests have yet been made. The garden and forest superintendent of Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC), Nagesh Irkar, lodged the complaints.
After the civic administration failed to check the large-scale mangrove destruction in CRZ-I area, Thane district collector SS Jhende had ordered investigations into the matter and stringent action against the culprits. Jhende’s orders prompted the MBMC authorities to lodge the complaints.
“The complaint was lodged with the Mira Road police. Now, it is up to the police to investigate the matter and take action against the culprits,” said Irkar.
The investigation officer of the case, sub-inspector Dilip Salunke, said the accused could not be arrested due to ambiguities in the details furnished by the municipal authorities. “The builders claim that they had obtained all due permissions to construct buildings in the area. The municipal surveyor also said the area did not fall under CRZ-I,” Salunke said. A letter was sent to the municipal authorities to clear doubts over the status of the lands in question. “The arrests would be made only after the municipal authorities cleared all ambiguities in the matter,” Salunke said.
MBMC sources said the dense mangrove forest along the Vasai and Navghar creeks was being destroyed by land-sharks to grab land along the coastline. MBMC was yet to act against two revenue department officials, against whom cases were filed for allegedly letting the dumping of garbage on mangroves, violating a Bombay high court. The cases were registered after residents of Srishti Complex, Mira Road, raised their voice against such illegal dumping.
The court had ordered that no construction or developmental activities should be allowed within 50 metres of mangrove growth.
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