NAVI MUMBAI: A joint inspection led by the tehsildar Yuvraj Bangar visited various sites at Nerul-Seawoods area to check complaints of mangrove destruction, blocking of sluice gates of a waterbody near TS Chanakya, among other issues. Bangar assured the green activists that an FIR will be lodged with regards to the hacking of 125 healthy mangroves at the ecosensitive zone, off Palm Beach road.
Environmentalist Sunil Agarwal of Save Navi Mumbai Environment group said, “Besides the tehsildar, the Belapur circle officer Suresh Rokade, NMMC officials, Cidco officials and the local range forest officer, Sudhir Manjre, were present for the joint inspection with regards to the mangroves hacking and other issues. The officials were shocked to know that as many as 17 big towers are to be constructed in and around the TS Chanakya waterbody by a private company, after getting the go-ahead from Cidco. We are pleased that the tehsildar has at least assured us that an FIR will be lodged with regards to the recent cutting of 125 mangroves here.”
Tehsildar Bangar also instructed the accompanying officials to reopen all the sluice gates at the waterbody, so that there is no blockage of the intertidal water currents at TS Chanakya and behind NRI Complex. Also, it was decided to fence off the area where the construction site is marked, so as to protect the mangroves and the wetlands on the other side of the fence, off Palm Beach road.
”The officials in the joint inspection team were also delighted to see several wetland birds like ducks, terns, flamingos at various sites, and hence appreciated our efforts to protect this priceless biodiversity. We told them that our recently launched ‘Chalo Chanakya’ citizens movement will continue every Sunday, as the eco warriors come to this coastal zone to remove trash from the mangroves, and generally raise awareness about the need to protect this important wetland for the sake of the birds; and hence no construction of towers, leave alone the golf course, should be allowed here,” added Agarwal.
At present, the case against the golf course and proposed buildings at the Nerul-Seawoods site is pending in the Supreme Court.
Environmentalist Sunil Agarwal of Save Navi Mumbai Environment group said, “Besides the tehsildar, the Belapur circle officer Suresh Rokade, NMMC officials, Cidco officials and the local range forest officer, Sudhir Manjre, were present for the joint inspection with regards to the mangroves hacking and other issues. The officials were shocked to know that as many as 17 big towers are to be constructed in and around the TS Chanakya waterbody by a private company, after getting the go-ahead from Cidco. We are pleased that the tehsildar has at least assured us that an FIR will be lodged with regards to the recent cutting of 125 mangroves here.”
Tehsildar Bangar also instructed the accompanying officials to reopen all the sluice gates at the waterbody, so that there is no blockage of the intertidal water currents at TS Chanakya and behind NRI Complex. Also, it was decided to fence off the area where the construction site is marked, so as to protect the mangroves and the wetlands on the other side of the fence, off Palm Beach road.
”The officials in the joint inspection team were also delighted to see several wetland birds like ducks, terns, flamingos at various sites, and hence appreciated our efforts to protect this priceless biodiversity. We told them that our recently launched ‘Chalo Chanakya’ citizens movement will continue every Sunday, as the eco warriors come to this coastal zone to remove trash from the mangroves, and generally raise awareness about the need to protect this important wetland for the sake of the birds; and hence no construction of towers, leave alone the golf course, should be allowed here,” added Agarwal.
At present, the case against the golf course and proposed buildings at the Nerul-Seawoods site is pending in the Supreme Court.
