Land sharks claim Thane mangrove ……..Nitin Yeshwantrao
Thane: The citys insatiable hunger for land is resulting in systematic and insidious destruction of all that is green.The latest case in point is the brutal and relentless hacking of a vast tract of mangrove land in Kopri,Thane east.
Huge swathes of mangroves land near Thane creek have been cleared,only to be illegally filled with mud and debris so as to facilitate the construction of slums and commercial structures.
The area is being illegally reclaimed by local land sharks in connivance with the district administration and political support.Till recently,the only structure in the area was a small temple of Swami Samarth,constructed 20 years ago by a local who is said to be a functionary of the Congress.
In fact,devotees would walk for close to two kms from Mithbunder Road to reach the temple.It is learnt that the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) subsequently constructed a mud track through the mangrove forests so that locals could easily reach the temple.
Taking advantage of this access route,local hoodlums have started reclaiming the land around the temple.As many as 80 residential chawls have illegally come up on the land.
There are some small industrial units,including a factory manufacturing cement pipe,as well as commercial structures, a Kopri resident told TOI on the condition of anonymity.The encroachments have been provided with basic amenities,including water connection and electricity, he said,adding that repeated complaints to the TMC had failed to evoke any response.
It is learnt that the chawls are being sold for Rs 5 lakh each with the promise that the property would soon be registered in their names.The families staying in these chawls have voter ID cards and ration cards.This shows that the administration has legitimised their homes which have come up on mangrove land, said the local.