Mumbai: On Wednesday afternoon residents of Lokhandwala and Versova came together spreading awareness for the preservation of mangroves near Mumbai coastline. June 5 is known as the world environment day, hence the citizens took the initiative to signify the importance of the day by informing the residents to stand across and unify in protecting the mangroves. Mumbai has 6,600 hectares (ha) of mangrove cover, with 6,400 ha in the suburbs and 200 in South Mumbai. According to the year-end report by the state mangrove cell, there have been 275 cases of mangrove destruction in the city, which is the highest ever recorded in recent years.
Though the Bombay High Court had ordered to launch criminal cases against those who destroy the mangroves yet no convictions have been reported. The participants stated that out of all the cases reported, there have been at least 65 per cent of cases of debris dumping on mangrove forests, and at least 25 per cent cases of setting up alum settlements and structures on mangrove patches by the land mafia. The remaining cases involved cutting of high tide water and isolated instances of Mangroves being burnt.
“There should be a rise in awareness among the citizens, the government can’t do everything and as citizens, we need to be pro-active,” said Meena Anand an activist and participant of the rally. One of the main objective of the rally was to inspire the citizens to be vigilant about the mangrove cutting, so that they can report anything suspicious to the authorities so that strict action could be taken.
- Pratip Acharya
