Dinesh Kamath's news 'High Court makes an attempt to solve mangroves related problems in the city' that was published in Newsband

High Court makes an attempt to solve mangroves related problems in the city

By Dinesh Kamath

NAVI MUMBAI: Bombay high court's suggestion of setting up a committee to monitor complaints about mangrove destruction in the city has been welcomed by many organizations. This move by the court will ensure the solving of any problem related to mangroves. The members of the committee will comprise of those persons belonging to Konkan Bhavan, NMMC, CIDCO, Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate, NGOs and other organizations. This committee is expected to cooperate with Forest Department in the matter of solving mangroves related cases. This way, the responsibility will be shared by all concerned organizations.

The environment activists were elated by this happening and they called it a good move which would help retain the greenery of the city. They also demanded the arrest of unidentified dumpers who come from Mumbai and dump debris in Navi Mumbai regions which fall within the jurisdicition of Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. They were concerned about the long coastline of the city where particularly these dumping were done. According to them if this practice continues, then the marine life would be in danger.

Public Works Department too has been facing a problem owing to mangroves related problem. PWD wishes to widen the road at a particular place along Sion-Panvel Highway but they are not able to get no-objection from the Forest Department which is concerned about the mangroves that might get destroyed if the permission to widen the road is granted.

In cases involving replanting mangroves after they are uprooted, clearance is given if the application is made before the project is taken up. Till then clearance is not possible.

Thus mangroves related problem is become a major issue in the city and Bombay High Court has come up with a brilliant idea of forming a committee consisting of members from all concerned departments or organizations who together are expected to share the responsibilities in the matter of mangroves related issues.