Dinesh Kamath's news 'Mangroves is an important issue in Navi Mumbai' that was published in Newsband

Mangroves is an important issue in Navi Mumbai

By Dinesh Kamath

Above: Debris dumped in Mangrove area in Navi Mumbai

Above: Flamingoes at Mangrove area

NAVI MUMBAI: Debris being dumped at night along the 4-km creek line from Patni ground in Digha to Rabale village, cutting through Airoli, along the thick mangrove stretch is a common sight. Yet the civic authorities and forest officials pretend that they do not know anything about this illegal activities and thus take no action. The mangroves are getting destroyed in spite of the fact that this area is supposed to come under protected forest land and the destruction of mangroves is prohibited by even High Court. The debris come loaded in trucks dumped in storm water nullah and the result is there arises big danger for marine life.

While the debris mafia are creating havoc, The City and Industrial Development Corporation on the other hand is planning to convert areas consisting of mangroves into Wetland Centre where flamingos can get attracted. CIDCO has also planned to create boardwalks through the mangroves all the way from Palm Beach Road to the western edge of the Thane creek.

CIDCO is thinking about coming up with institutes in the mangroves areas declared as reserved forests by the High Court so that city residents can know more about mangroves and wetlands.

There is a plan to come up with the western coast’s first marine interpretation centre at Airoli which will provide information on the state’s marine biodiversity as well as on issues related to livelihood of fishermen. Another plan is to come up with an open-air auditorium for students and visitors with an access to audio tours, models and photos on marine biodiversity. There will also be crab farming facility.

Presence of mangroves in the city can prove to be a big asset for the city residents owing to which the Bombay high court had told the authorities to ensure that there is no destruction of mangroves in Navi Mumbai and replantation is carried out if they are hacked. HC had also played an important role of setting up a coordination committee headed by the divisional commissioner, Konkan division, which comprised officers of Cidco, NMMC, forest department and the police. HC even directed them to ensure 100% conservation of eco-sensitive mangroves in the satellite city. Also a new site for the mangrove park near Khandeshwar railway station has been chosen. The park will be developed, simultaneously, alongside NMIA.

So it is great to see not only CIDCO, NMMC and NGOs but also Bombay High Court showing keen interest in preserving mangroves and utilizing them for the benefit of city residents.