(Feature Image: Navi Mumbai Environmentalists Rally Against CIDCO’s Neglect Of Protected Chanakya Lake. Source: FPJ, Jan. 2024)
The citizen groups in Mumbai including Vanshakti, Save Navi Mumbai Environment Group, NatConnect, Environment Life Foundation and others have for years been making significant efforts to save the remaining wetlands and mangroves in and around Mumbai from ill-conceived developmental projects and abuses. During 2023 they continued their mission through peaceful protests, filing RTIs, writing letters to all concerned and even approaching courts to protect every single piece of wetlands and mangroves in and around the city. They have got some successes and even faced many dead-end situations but carried on the cause of wetlands and mangroves. This report compiles top ten mangroves and wetlands development from Mumbai region along with highlighting the persistent efforts of the citizen groups.
Please also see yearend overviews 2023 on Ramsar wetlands in India, growing threats on wetlands, government actions, judicial interventions and citizen efforts to protect them during past one year.
Top ten reports on Mumbai wetlands & mangroves in 2023
1. HC sends Panje wetlands issue to Environment Dept The Principal Secretary must consider the representations and hear all three parties and pass a reasoned order as early as possible, but preferably in no more than 12 weeks, the High Court said in its order dated Jan 24, 2024 uploaded on Jan 29, 2024. The case dates back to Nov 11, 2020 when the state environment department asked City and Industrial Development Corp (CIDCO) and Raigad district collector to ensure that intertidal water flow to Panje wetland is not blocked.
The Raigad district administration had confirmed that the 289 Ha Panje wetland in Uran, equivalent to the size of about 30 Azad Maidans, is in for development as per the CIDCO plans. The wetland has been marked as sectors 16 to 28 as part of the Dronagiri Development Plan published by CIDCO and is under the control of NMIIA, the collector’s report to the High Court appointed wetland grievance redressal committee had said.
Environmentalist Nandkumar Pawar had filed an application with the western zonal bench of the NGT as the govt order was being violated. NGT asked the govt agencies to implement the state’s order and this was also not complied with. Pawar then moved the NGT with a plea to execute its own order which the tribunal did. CIDCO and NMIIA filed a review petition with the NGT after complying with the environment director’s order. The larger six-member bench of NGT, however, upheld the original order and asked CIDCO and the Raigad Collector to maintain Panje as a wetland. This led to CIDCO and NMIIA to file a writ petition in the High Court which passed its order on Jan 24, 2024.
Environmentalists Nandakumar Pawar and B N Kumar had lodged a series of complaints with the CM, the Raigad collector, the High Court-appointed Mangrove and Wetland Protection Committee against the attempts to destroy the Panje wetland and construct buildings. Accordingly, a Public Interest Litigation was also filed by Stalin D of Vanashakti seeking to declare Panje either a sanctuary or a national park or to have some other protective status under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The petition will be heard by the same bench shortly.
Meanwhile, Kumar recalled that the then CM Devendra Fadnavis had declared on Dec 4, 2015 that the State Wildlife Board has cleared three bird sanctuaries at Sewree-Mahul, Panje-Funde and NRI-TS Chanakya. The govt unfortunately is yet to implement this decision, Kumar regretted. “Even the Mangrove Cell and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) are keen to protect the wetlands but CIDCO has been in a denial mode. Panje also forms part of the Satellite Wetland Development Plan for the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary – a Ramsar site – prepared by the Mangrove Foundation in association with BNHS,” Kumar said and regretted that the govt has failed to notify Panje as a wetland though it figures in the National Wetland Inventory Atlas prepared by the ISRO. https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bombay-hc-sets-aside-ngt-order-on-panje-wetland-in-navi-mumbai-issue-sent-to-state-environment-department (31 Jan 2024)
Don’t allow concrete jungle on Panje wetland Environmentalists have stepped up their campaign to save the Panje wetland from being converted into a concrete jungle, destroying the rich biodiversity. On the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, NGOs NatConnect Foundation and Sagarshakti sent out an email on May 22 to CM Eknath Shinde reminding him of his promise to conserve the environment. Environmentalists have raised concerns over a number of projects near the wetland. “The IT hub planned by a big corporate house should not lead to the destruction of Panje’s biodiversity as the wetland attracts over 80 species of birds, as per a BNHS report,” said B N Kumar, Director of NatConnect Foundation.
“Panje is the ideal location for building a biodiversity park. All that the government has to do is to strictly tell the CIDCO not to obstruct intertidal water flow,” says Nandakumar Pawar of Sagarshakti. Panje has been under attack for about five years with the intermittent blocking of tidal water, alleged Pawar. As a result of this the migratory bird population, which used to be 2.5 lakhs, has drastically dwindled. Panje biodiversity must be rebuilt now and the Navi Mumbai Special Economic Zone (NMSEZ) township be stopped, he said. https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/dont-allow-concrete-jungle-on-panje-wetland-activists-to-govt (22 May 2023)
2. Absenteeism of nodal officials on wetland, mangrove panel Despite intimation to Bombay High Court about repeated absenteeism of officials from various nodal agencies at the wetland and mangrove committee, appointed by it, the problem continues. The committee chairman Mahendra Kalyankar who has taken a serious view of the issue has now ordered that Demi-Official (DO) letter, a correspondence between officials for personal attention, be written about the failure of the officials to attend the crucial meetings. The minutes of the meeting held by Mangroves Protection and Conservation Control Committee on June 22 2022 confirms that due to the absence of representatives / nodal officers appointed for the wetland committee there are delays in resolving the complaints received by the committee and that the chairman has taken a serious view of it.
According to committee member, Stalin D, “The whole of 2022 the panels met just twice – once in January and then in June – and the meetings scheduled for Feb 8 were abruptly cancelled without assigning any reason.” The committee meetings are supposed to be held regularly to attend to redress the grievances related to wetlands and to protect and conserve mangroves, NatConnect Foundation said in its missive to the State govt. Not holding the regular meetings could amount to contempt of court, NatConnect director B N Kumar pointed out in his mails to the CM and the Chief Secretary.
Even when the rare meetings are held, the environment department, BMC and MMRDA have been absent making the committees’ task difficult, NatConnect said, quoting the minutes uploaded on the panels’ websites. Nandakumar Pawar, head of Shri Ekvira Aai Pratishtan, recalled that the HC committees, headed by Konkan Divisional Commissioner, had asked the district collectors to handle local level complaints. These district authorities have apparently not been able to attend to the issues and “this is evident from the continued destruction of wetlands and mangroves and the inaction against the culprits,” Pawar said. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/absenteeism-of-nodal-officials-on-wetland-mangrove-panel-continues-101678276449999.html (8 March 2023)
Greens upset over rare wetland panel meet Irked by the Bombay high court-appointed mangrove and wetlands committees not holding their meetings regularly amid unending environmental destruction, green groups have written to the govt that they would initiate contempt proceedings. The committees, mandated by the court, are supposed to meet at regular intervals to redress the grievances related to wetlands and to protect mangroves. This year not a single meeting has taken place. Konkan Divisional Commissioner who is the chairman of both the committees assured to hold the meeting shortly. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/navi-mumbai/greens-upset-over-rare-wetland-panel-meet/articleshow/98222772.cms (25 Feb. 2023)
3. CIDCO can’t ‘certify’ wetlands, Centre asserts NatConnect director B N Kumar drew the MOEFCC’s attention to the fact that CIDCO has been denying the existence of any wetlands in Navi Mumbai and leasing them out for projects such as NMSEZ, JNPA and even a golf course. Rajasekhar Ratti, Scientist D, Wetlands Division responded: “CIDCO is not an organisation to identify wetlands”. He asked Kumar to contact Mah State Wetlands Authority for clarification on the state wetlands.
This information assumes significance in view of CIDCO turning down a proposal from the state mangrove cell to conserve the wetlands of Belpada, Bhendkhal and Panje in Uran and NRI Seawoods and TS Chanakya in Nerul, NatConnect pointed out. The CIDCO’s stand in response to the mangrove cell was that these water bodies are developable land parcels.
In another development, CIDCO has allotted the NRI Seawoods and TSC wetlands for a golf course. The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Development Authority (MCZMA) has even granted a CRZ clearance on CIDCO certificate that the water bodies are not wetlands. This, despite the fact that the Bombay High Court has struck down the golf course project and the CIDCO special leave petition is pending in the Supreme Court.
As regards conserving the 286 ha Panje wetland, Vanashakti and Shri Ekvira Aai Pratishtan have filed separate petitions in HC where the hearing is pending. The CM has already referred NatConnect’s complaint against the burial of Bhendkhal wetland to the environment dept. https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/navi-mumbai-cidco-cant-certify-wetlands-centre-asserts (29 Oct. 2023)
4. Protest against CIDCO’s neglect of Chanakya lake Environmentalists from Navi Mumbai are up in arms against the alleged inaction on the part of the CIDCO in transferring the Chanakya Lake, situated behind TS Chanakya off the arterial Palm Beach Road. The lake is a protected area as per the order of the Bombay High Court. Tidal-affected, Chanakya Lake covering an area of 14.74 Ha and the surrounding mangroves come under the jurisdiction of CIDCO. Despite the Bombay High Court directing CIDCO to transfer all the mangroves in its possession to the Mangroves cell of the Forest Department, CIDCO has so far refused to do so and is now flouting the High Court’s order by expressing its desire to allot it to private builders and developers.
Despite being a protected area, CIDCO has deliberately neglected the maintenance and safety of Chanakya Lake. As a local planning authority, the maintenance system has not been handed over to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corp, they say and added that security personnel of a renowned developer have now started patrolling the area, informing locals and fishermen that Chanakya Lake has been sold for the construction of hotels and residential towers. Despite filing complaints with the Mangroves Cell & the Mangroves Protection & Conservation Committee, the authorities are busy passing the matter from one organization to another. This led to the first protest by the activists under the banner of Save Navi Mumbai Environment & Environment Life Foundation on Dec 24, 2023. https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/navi-mumbai-environmentalists-rally-against-cidcos-neglect-of-protected-chanakya-lake (1 Jan 2024)
In the ongoing battle to preserve the T.S Chanakya wetland & mangrove, the ‘Chalo Chanakya’ citizens’ movement marked its 6th edition on Jan 28, 2024. Advocates and environmentalists gathered for the “Chalo Chanakya” Citizens March, demanding the handover of the endangered wetland to state authorities for conservation efforts and the protection of the surrounding mangrove belt. The peaceful yet impactful protest witnessed a significant turnout, with notable figures from society, students, and residents joining forces against the human-induced devastation of Navi Mumbai’s Chanakya Wetland & adjacent areas. https://www.newsband.in/article_detail/chalo-chanakya-citizens-movement-gains-momentum (29 Jan. 2024) Hundreds of citizens took part in the “Chalo Chanakya” walkathon led by environmental activists, voicing their concerns against the destruction of mangroves and wetlands. The gathering occurred at the wetland behind T S Chanakya along the Palm Beach Road in Nerul on a Sunday morning. Sunil Agarwal, an environmental activist, expressed concern about a recent distressing incident where unidentified individuals mercilessly felled numerous mangrove trees near the water body without any decisive action from authorities. https://www.lokmattimes.com/maharashtra/chalo-chanakya-citizens-rally-to-save-chanakya-wetland-from-devastation-a475/ (26 Dec. 2023) The collective voice of concerned citizens and environmental advocates resonated through hashtags such as #chaloChanakya, #savewetlands, #savemangroves, and others. Stalin Dayanand criticized CIDCO, stating, “CIDCO is very well aware of the violation, but it simply wants to tire out the legal system by hearing out multiple complaints on similar matters.” https://www.newsband.in/article_detail/chalo-chanakya-march-garners-massive-support-for-mangrove-protection (26 Dec. 2023) When citizens approached the Mangrove cell to have the destruction of mangroves at Chanakya lake inspected, it appeared that the cell had not been handed over these mangrove forests and so, it wouldn’t be able to file an FIR for destruction. As a result, residents themselves had to investigate the details of the wetland area’s extent and ownership through RTI’s and opensource material. https://citizenmatters.in/navi-mumbai-mangrove-destruction-civic-action-41167 (15 Jan 2024)
5. PIL seeks protection of wetlands, mangroves Environmentalists are seeking legal action as a result of the CIDCO persistent failure to protect the city’s wetlands and mangroves. The mangroves surrounding the T.S. Chanakaya lake in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, have sustained repeated damages. As a result, a new PIL has been filed in the High Court. Since around 200 mangroves were discovered to have been purposefully destroyed, activists have been mobilising to save the lake from encroachments since mid-December.
The petition, which was submitted on Jan 3, lists the various incidents of damage observed near the wetlands. Additionally, CIDCO has been held solely responsible for the damage that has gone unchecked. According to petitioner Kanchan Purohit, “The destruction of the wetlands began when CIDCO decided to have a golf course along with 9 residential towers on 5 plots falling under CRZ. Even though NMMC is the planning authority, CIDCO continues to act independently and cause more damage to the environment. Therefore, in the interest of the City’s flora and fauna I decided to get the PIL filed.”
The petition asks the HC to order a stop to all planned or ongoing construction within 100 m of the hazard lines and the High Tide Line (HTL). It further demands that the state government publish notices and warnings to the public, discouraging them from investing their hard earned money in projects located in CRZs, and that the HC order MCMZA to stop processing any applications for construction in CRZ areas. within the city, it also requires the installation of permanent fencing. https://english.jagran.com/maharashtra/environmentalists-file-pil-in-hc-seeking-protection-of-wetlands-mangroves-in-navi-mumbai-10127593 (16 Jan. 2024)
6. 220 ha Uran ‘wetlands’ buried under debris About 220 ha of govt-listed ‘intertidal wetlands’ – equivalent to the size of 22 Azad Maidans — in Uran has been buried under debris dumped by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), claimed environmentalists quoting a report of an official inspection. The environmentalists contend that the JNPA wants to use this buried ‘wetland’ to allocate plots for project affected people (PAP), instead of the land (developed area) acquired from the locals for this purpose. The inspection was done on June 28 following complaints from NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar to the govt and the high court-appointed Wetland Committee that the water bodies have been wiped out threatening Uran with floods. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/220-hectares-of-wetlands-in-navi-mumbai-buried-under-debris-claim-environmentalists-101688151559808.html (01 July 2023)
7. Mangroves vanish as officials sit still over complaint for 5 months Yet another classic case exposing the glaring insensitivity and apathy shown by the dist authorities towards the protection and preservation of mangroves has come to light in Bhayandar. Despite a complaint registered by a social activist- Krishna Gupta on 13, Oct 2022, against dumping of debris to reclaim pristine stretches of mangroves on private land in Bhayandar (west), it took more than five months for the revenue department to register an offence against the violators.
The entire govt machinery chose to remain mute spectators allowing the land sharks to continue with the destruction by dumping truckloads of debris and levelling the land with brazen impunity. An offence was finally registered by Naib Tehsildar (revenue officer)-Smita Gurav under the relevant sections of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 at the Bhayandar police station on Mar 24. However, by then the mangroves had been wiped-off. Moreover, none of the landowners have been named in the FIR. Revenue dept officials attributed the delay to the lengthy process of ascertaining the exact survey number of the site amidst a vast land parcel. https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mira-bhayandar-mangroves-vanish-as-officials-sit-still-over-complaint-for-5-months-complaint-registered-by-social-activist-in-october-2022 (25 March 2023)
8. HC warns builder over construction on CRZ-protected wetland in Nerul The Bombay high court has put a private developer on notice for a massive construction project – both residential and commercial – in Pockets D and E of Nerul, Navi Mumbai. The project allegedly violates the CRZ Rules and the Mah Regional Town Planning (MTRP) Act. It is alleged that the project received its commencement certificate (CC) from CIDCO, and not Navi Mumbai Municipal Corp (NMMC), under whose administrative jurisdiction the plot falls.
In a warning to the builder – Mistry Constructions – the HC has said that any work being carried out on-site may be subject to the outcome of the petition filed by Navi Mumbai resident Sunil Agarwal seeking to halt construction on the upmarket Palm Beach Road, next to the Seawoods NRI complex. It is contiguous with the NRI and Talawe wetlands, which are important flamingo habitats. “Pocket A and Pocket D are wetlands under both 2010 and 2017 Wetland Rules,” the HC observed in Nov 2018, in response to a PIL filed by Agarwal. In an affidavit submitted to the HC, the state forest dept maintained that Pocket D, “…is low lying and contains tidal water. Sparse mangroves are seen on the fringes. Several birds, including flamingos, visit the area. It is a water body as per the map and as per field observation.” https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/bombay-hc-warns-mistry-constructions-over-alleged-crz-violations-in-navi-mumbai-project-construction-may-be-halted-pending-petition-outcome-101680462586629.html (03 April 2023)
9. Tunnel to save Thane creek mangroves A 7-km undersea tunnel will be constructed for the bullet train project to save about 12 ha of mangrove forests in Thane creek. This will escalate the cost of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor project’s 21-km long stretch from Bandra Kurla Complex Station to Shilphata from ₹100 crore to ₹10,000 crore. Constructing an undersea tunnel in the Thane creek will be a massive challenge as it will involve two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) which will meet half way under the sea. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/undersea-tunnel-proposed-for-bullet-train-project-to-save-mangrove-forests-in-thane-creek/article66491004.ece (9 Feb 2023)
10. Now, a helpline no. for mangrove complaints The Raigad district collector office at Alibaug has launched a Toll Free number ‘1077’ and a WhatsApp number ‘8275152363’ for alert citizens and environmentalists to lodge a complaint against mangroves destruction by miscreants dumping debris or erecting bunds to block the flow of tidal water to the mangroves for land grabbing and also illegal sand excavation and transportation by sand mafia operating in Raigad district.
Dr Padmashree Bainade, Resident Deputy Collector of Raigad district informed that the High Court had passed an order on Sep 17, 2018 in a PIL (87/2006) seeking measures to be taken by the govt officers for protection & conservation of mangroves. Accordingly, the govt’s Revenue and Forest Department had issued a notification on Oct 16, 2018, giving instructions to form ‘Control Committees’ at the divisional level as well as at district and taluka level for the protection and conservation of mangroves in the districts along the coastal belt.
In accordance with the letter of Nov 3, 2018 from the Konkan Divisional Commissioner & as per the order of the Raigad district collector on Nov 16, 2018, Control Committees have been formed at the dist & taluka level. Subsequently, Raigad dist collector office has launched a toll free number mentioned above. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/navi-mumbai/now-a-helpline-no-for-mangrove-complaints/articleshow/98377774.cms (3 Mar 2023)
Some Other Relevant News Reports
Navi Mumbai’s thriving wetlands, turned barren During the COVID-19 lockdown, the wetland looked like a water body that offered shelter to flamingos. This year, however, the wetland looks like a parched land, and citizens say the number of flamingos arriving has been the lowest in the last three years. The wetland faces threats from landfilling and intensive fishing. It is also overcrowded because of spectators and birdwatchers. Landfilling, reclamation, and modifications for fishing may also displace the birds from this wetland and force them to go to inland wetlands.
Prabhu, a researcher from the BNHS, who understands the coastal ecology of Mumbai and the importance of conserving these wetlands said, “Due to excessive and unplanned development in the city, the mangroves cannot grow backwards. As a result, the new growth is moving forwards and encroaching on the mudflats and shrinking waterways. This interaction of coastal and urban ecosystems poses a great challenge and forces us to re-examine our traditional understanding of conservation. We cannot just sit back and let nature take its course. We have gone beyond that. We need active management”. https://www.thequint.com/my-report/flamingos-navi-mumbai-wetlands-tuned-into-barren-land#5 (15 March 2023)
Greens cry foul as govt maps only 1,243 wetlands The 7,57,040 wetlands listed by the National Wetlands Atlas appear to have lost their significance as just 1,243 of these water bodies are added to the list mapped by the Indian Wetlands website. An RTI application for details of wetlands identified and notified has opened a pandora’s box. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/navi-mumbai-wetlands-lose-significance-as-only-a-fraction-listed-on-indian-wetlands-website-rti-reveals-pandora-s-box-101683284602590.html (05 May 2023) A national study in 2020 by WI South Asia showed that among 22 Indian cities, Mumbai had lost the maximum number of wetlands—71 % in 44 years. https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-news/article/the-loss-of-wetland-leads-to-ecological-and-economic-collapse-23271449 (20 Feb. 2023)
Amrit Sarovars must be notified as wetlands Green groups sat that the success of PM Modi’s Amrit Sarovars project, aimed at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of India, depends on the notification of these water bodies as wetlands for protection and conservation. They argue that wetlands are crucial for water conservation and provide various ecological services. So far, only a small fraction of the identified wetlands have been notified, leaving them vulnerable to development and degradation. The groups have called on the govt to legally protect and conserve the Amrit Sarovars by designating them as wetlands. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/amrit-sarovars-must-be-notified-as-wetlands-activists-demand-101695643982131.html (25 Sept. 2023)
NGT asks BMC to restore mangroves along Eastern Freeway NGT principal bench, Delhi, has directed the restoration of mangroves along Eastern Freeway and sought a report before June 30.The order was issued to the state environment secretary, BMC, city collector and salt commissioner in an appeal filed by advocate Madhura Tawde in 2021, for remedial action on salt pan land near the coastal road at Wadala to Mahul close to Chembur to CST freeway. In her petition, Tawde had pointed to the dumping of construction debris on salt pan to make an island and encroach upon it. The NGT had then appointed a six-member committee to ascertain the facts. The committee had reported serious violations of the CRZ notification, 2019. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/ngt-to-state-bmc-restore-mangroves-along-freeway/articleshow/100368501.cms (20 May 2023)
BMC begins demolishing five illegal film studios in Madh The action comes a day after the NGT dismissed the appeal filed by illegal movie and television production studios against a BMC showcause notice to them to discontinue operations. In Nov 2022, the BMC stayed its 2019 circular, which allowed permission for raising temporary structures on private land for erecting film studios, pointing that there were some loopholes in it. That was also one of the reasons that the NGT dismissed the studio owners’ petition. “After receiving complaints about unauthorized film studios being set up in Madh, civic officials conducted an inspection. CRZ rules violation was also brought to our notice. Legal notices were then issued to the illegal studios. Some of the studio owners evicted the structures,” said an official. Later, the BMC razed six of the illegal studios, but a stay was imposed on demolition of the remaining five structures after one of the owners approached the court. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/bmc-begins-demolishing-five-illegal-film-studios-in-madh/articleshow/99328851.cms (8 Apr 2023)
Ulwe Wetlands MCZMA nod to Tirupati Balaji temple on wetlands The MCZMA has cleared the construction of the Tirupati Balaji temple on a 10-acre plot in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai which partly falls under the CRZ. The decision was taken after the authority took the coastal zone management plan (CZMP) into consideration, but greens are protesting.
The MCZMA, at a meeting on Nov 2 has conditionally approved the amended construction proposal presented by the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanams. The MCZMA has set conditions such as no construction will be allowed over mangroves or in a specified 50-m buffer zone around wetlands without the Bombay high court’s permission. The local development authority, CIDCO will also have to ensure that construction is confined to non-CRZ area. A no-objection certificate has to be obtained from the mangrove cell for any activity within the 50-m buffer zone, said MCZMA. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/navi-mumbai/nod-for-temple-on-wetlands-with-riders-greens-upset/articleshow/106141929.cms (20 Dec. 2023)
Tirupati Balaji temple row: Mangrove Cell officer suspended In a new twist to the Tirupati Balaji temple plot issue, the Navi Mumbai Mangrove Cell officer who confirmed the presence of the area being a wetland and the presence of wetland has now been placed under suspension. Round officer Bapu Gadade of the Navi Mumbai Mangrove Cell has been placed under suspension as a “disciplinary action”. Gadade had visited the site along with NatConnect Foundation, the complainant, and other environmentalists and confirmed the presence of the mangroves and wetland there. He has reportedly been suspended for taking wrong measurements. NatConnect described the suspension as unfortunate and requested the forest dept to reinstate Bapu, who was merely confirming the concerns of the environmentalists & locals. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/tirupati-balaji-temple-row-mangrove-cell-officer-suspended-101696085995147.html (30 Sep 2023)
RTI reveals no CRZ clearance for temple in Ulwe B N Kumar, Director of NatConnect Foundation, sought information regarding CRZ clearance for the temple’s 10-acre plot. In response, MOEFCC stated that they have no records of such clearance. Dr S Prabhu, Central Public Information Officer (Impact Assessment) at MOEFCC, explained in the RTI reply that the project falls under the jurisdiction of the SEIAA in Maharashtra. Furthermore, a comparison with the 2018 Google Earth map reveals that the entire area was originally covered by mangroves or intertidal wetlands, on which a 20-ha temporary casting yard for the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) was constructed in 2019.
B N Kumar stated, “If MOEFCC has no information, it implies that no clearance was granted. This strengthens our case for the NGT.” He further emphasized that the layout of the plot encroaches upon CRZ1, as indicated in maps prepared by the Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS) at Anna University. The IRS document was submitted to the MCZMA in the pursuit of CRZ clearance for the temple project. https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/navi-mumbai-greens-to-approach-ngt-after-rti-reveals-non-clearance-of-crz-for-balaji-temple-plot-in-ulwe (19 Oct. 2023)
Illegal dumping is not stopped in Ulwe The unregulated debris dumping by ‘mafia’ in the mangrove belts of Ulwe has alarmed the local environmentalists who warn if this is not stopped now then it will be too late to protect the natural defence barriers. The speed at which waste is being dumped here, it will fully damage these mangroves resulting in massive flooding of the areas in future.
Despite the Bombay high court’s order in 2018 that there should be no form of destruction or cutting of mangroves in the entire state, the ‘dumping mafia’ continue to pollute and damage the area. Multiple mailers and video footage of dumpers dumping debris into the mangroves were shot and sent to authorities. The activists said they are aggravated by the indifference of the civic authorities. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/unregulated-debris-dumping-by-mafia-in-navi-mumbai-mangroves-alarms-environmentalists-threatens-natural-defence-barriers-and-future-flooding-101684610514917.html (21 May 2023)
Nerul Mangroves Mangrove Cell stops work on Palm Beach service road Acting on complaints lodged by nature lovers and the Navi Mumbai Mangrove Cell of the Forest Department came down heavily on the NMMC and halted ongoing construction work of over 600 m long service road off Palm Beach Road. The road was to run between TS Chanakya Signal and Sector 58 in Nerul. However, the civic body did not get permission from Bombay High Court which is necessary to go ahead with any construction activity within the 50 m mangrove buffer zone. Moreover, the mangrove cell also asked the civic officials to produce all required permissions at the earliest.
The civic body had started work on the service road after obtaining a conditional nod from the MCZMA which instructed it to obtain permission from other authorities including the High Court. But the High Court during its Apr 24 hearing adjourned the matter to Jul 4. However, NMMC started the road work with excavation activity within the 50 m buffer area of mangrove, violating the environment norms. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/navi-mumbai/mangrove-cell-stops-work-on-palm-beach-service-rd-as-no-nod-from-hc/articleshow/100290379.cms (17 May 2023)
Environmentalists in Navi Mumbai have expressed their concern about the accumulation of garbage in the holding pond at Sector 24, Nerul, also known as ‘The Jewel of Navi Mumbai’. They have also highlighted the neglect of trees in the park, which are drying up, and the theft of iron rods from the boundary wall. https://newsband.in/?p=40950 (16 May 2023)
Thane collector to decide Lotus Lake’s wetland status The conservation of the lotus lake spread over 2 ha in Nerul, Navi Mumbai is now in the hands of Thane district Collector. The High Court on Sep 6 directed the Thane collector to go through the revenue records to ascertain the nature of the land and its use before the area was handed over to CIDCO. The Collector Ashok Shingare has been directed to file an affidavit within four weeks. The fresh HC directive comes in the wake of the doubts raised by the state Environment and Climate Change ministry about the authenticity of the lake getting notified by the wetlands authority. The state dept had raised it in an affidavit filed with the court in Feb 2023. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/thane-collector-directed-by-high-court-to-determine-fate-of-lotus-lake-amidst-discrepancies-and-doubts-101694104760563.html (7 Sep 2023)
Inspection team stopped from entering construction site A joint inspection team of forest officials, mangrove cell and environmentalist Sunil Agarwal, who wanted to inspect a private construction site next to the coastal wetland at Palm Beach road, were unable to do so as the construction company objected to the presence of the environmentalist (Agarwal), although he is the main complainant in the matter. The joint inspection had been planned to check if any barrier or fencing was installed to protect the wetland and buffer zone from the ongoing construction. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/navi-mumbai/navi-mumbai-jt-inspection-team-member-stopped-from-entering-construction-site-next-to-wetlands-in-seawoods/articleshow/105733019.cms (04 Dec. 2023)
ELF Cleans Mangroves In the last three years, Environment Life Foundation (ELF), a mangrove clean-up group – started by Dharmesh Barai, a Nerul resident along with his two friends Sriram Sankar and Rohan Bhosale with the primary objective to protect and conserve the vital mangrove ecosystem, has removed more than 250 tons of waste from plastic bottles to household trash from various locations in Navi Mumbai, including Panvel.
ELF celebrated its 150th week on Jul 2 with more than 30,000 volunteers joining the cause over time. Around 40 volunteers collected over 600 kg of waste in the 150th week of clean-up conducted near Shiv Mandir in Karave Jetty, along Palm Beach in Nerul from 7 am to 10 am on Jul 3. https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/with-aim-to-protect-mangroves-this-navi-mumbai-foundation-has-cleaned-more-than-250-tons-of-waste-in-last-3-years (3 Jul 2023)
Compiled by Bhim Singh Rawat (bhim.sandrp@gmail.com)
SANDRP 