Navi Mumbai Residents Campaign to Protect Mangrove Forests
Residents and activists in Navi Mumbai are taking a stand against the destruction of mangroves in the area. The issue was brought to light when a bird watcher discovered several dead mangrove trees near Chanakya Lake. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that around two kilometers of mangroves had been completely cleared overnight, leaving only one tree remaining. Local fishermen reported witnessing individuals taking photos of the felled trees, possibly as proof of completion. These mangroves are legally protected, but there seems to be confusion among authorities regarding responsibility for their protection. As a result, concerned citizens have filed complaints and organized protests under the banner of Chalo Chanakya.”
The conservation of mangroves in Maharashtra, including those in Navi Mumbai, is a priority on paper. The Bombay High Court had mandated the transfer of all mangrove forests to the states Mangrove Cell, a unique legal authority dedicated to their protection. Additionally, a State Mangroves Protection and Conservation Committee was formed to ensure coordination among various government agencies. Similarly, a State Wetlands Protection & Conservation Committee was created to monitor compliance with court orders and address public complaints about wetland destruction. Despite these measures, the destruction at Chanakya Lake demonstrates a failure in their implementation. The delay and lack of clarity surrounding the ownership of the land have caused frustration among residents, leading to a series of protests.”
When residents approached the Mangrove Cell for assistance, it was discovered that the cell had not yet been given control over the mangroves in question. This presented a challenge in filing a formal complaint. Therefore, citizens took matters into their own hands, conducting their own investigation using RTI requests and open-source material. They found that the wetland area, including the lake and surrounding mangrove zones, still belonged to CIDCO, the land use and urban development authority, despite the 2018 court order. Furthermore, there were reports of security personnel from a private builder patrolling the area and claiming ownership rights for the construction of a hotel and residential towers. It was also revealed that CIDCO had denied the existence of wetlands and labeled the area as “developable land” in 2017, even though it falls within a protected wetland zone.”
Following a joint inspection at the site, it was revealed that plans for a residential project with 17 buildings had been proposed for the mangrove area. As a result, it was agreed that an FIR would be filed against individuals responsible for cutting the trees and against CIDCO for its failure to prevent the destruction. However, since the mangroves have not yet been handed over to the Mangrove Cell, an official of higher rank would be required to file the FIR based on the inspection report. In response to these issues, the Chalo Chanakya Protests have been organized to raise awareness and put pressure on the authorities to take action against CIDCO. The protests have garnered support from environmentalists, residents, students, photographers, artists, and birdwatchers who are all concerned about the destruction of these valuable mangrove ecosystems.”
source=citizenmatters.in
