Mumbai: In the backdrop of the Kapil Sharma case over illegal constructions, environmentalists say that this is not a single case in point, such violations are taking place all over the city .
Areas of Dahisar, Vikhroli, Govandi, Versova and Thane are bigger examples of mangrove destruction, they say. For example, in Dahisar, a parking lot for more than 100 buses was constructed on the mangrove stretch area.
D Stalin, an environmentalist from NGO Vanashakti said, “There is rampant mangrove destruction all over the city. There was a high court order on the mangrove destruction in Dahisar, however the system is not responding on the same.”
There are many slum colonies constructed on the mangrove belt in areas like Vikhroli, Govandi, Shivaji Nagar and Versova. In Gorai, parking lot for private cars was constructed on a stretch of mangroves. Thane area is known for mangrove destruction on a great extent.
“Around 2km stretch of mangroves was destroyed after debris was dumped on it to construct a road in Anjur Dive area in Thane,” added Stalin.
Similarly, more than 20 hectare area of a mangrove patch was reclaimed in areas like Goregaon and Malad. “The system must look at a larger CRZ violation and thereby act upon it,” added Stalin
Environmentalists also stated that the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) must take suo motu action against CRZ violations and illegal constructions.
Godfrey Pimenta, Trustee at Watchdog Foundation said, “the MCGM must start taking enquiry on CRZ violation and illegal construction. Since, major CRZ violations are taking place all over the city.”
As per a high court order, a buffer zone of around 50 metres around the mangroves need to be maintained. As per CRZ notification of 1971, a buffer zone of 100 metres has to be maintained around the area where there is a presence of tidal action.
“Many bungalows are constructed in the city which lies within the buffer zone. There is a destruction of mangroves on a larger scale in Aksa area after the ground was levelled by dumping debris on the mangroves,” added Godfrey.
