To curb rising encroachments and illegal slums, including those on mangroves, the state government is planning to use satellite imagery to detect these encumbrances and take action.Speaking in question hour in the state legislative assembly on Tuesday, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis pointed to mushrooming unauthorised structures in Maharashtra and Mumbai where mangroves are also being destroyed. He admitted that despite laws being framed to hold civic officials and policemen responsible for encroachments, this was not being reflected in action against these illegalities on the ground."If we want to keep an eye regularly (on these encroachments), we must need to adopt a satellite-based survey or some model," said Fadnavis, who was replying to a question by Manisha Choudhari (BJP) on culling of mangroves at the Ganpat Patil Nagar slum in Dahisar.The CM added that if monthly satellite pictures noticed changes, they could be sent to the officials concerned for action. Consequently, responsibility of these officials would also be fixed.Fadnavis said he had been given a presentation on squatters on Monday and added that another such presentation was due in Mumbai. He stressed that they would use available technology for the purpose. "The changes will be notified every month and sent to officials."The CM said he would consider suggestions to bifurcate and separate the slums at Ganpat Patil Nagar and the mangroves to ensure no new slums and encroachments came up there and added that necessary instructions would be given to the civic body.

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