Once mangrove, now a dumpyard…….S Balakrishnan
MUMBAI: For the past one week, acres of mangroves near Bangur Nagar in Goregaon West are being systematically destroyed with apparent impunity. Scores of debris-laden trucks have been rushing in and out of the verdant stretch, much to the chagrin of locals. A posse of men employed by the encroachment mafia can be seen flitting about the mangroves, emptying the trucks and turning the swathe of green into a dumpyard.
Said activist Avisha Kulkarni, “We have protested against them and complained to the municipal authorities, but in vain. The mafia appears to have the upper hand. These mangroves provide the only buffer between the sea and Goregaon West.”
Earlier, the trucks used to come at night, but now they can be seen during the day. According to a source in BMC, one Aswin Shah heads a gang of workers that is notorious for dumping debris on public land. “This gang enjoys political patronage and has become so powerful that we are afraid to oppose it,” a BMC assistant engineer said.
A few years ago, the Bombay high court passed an order saying the deputy commissioner of police would be held responsible if mangroves are destroyed. But this order is yet to be implemented.
What residents of Bangur Nagar find more worrying is that a four-storeyed building has come up on what was earlier part of mangrove land. “The HC, while hearing a case filed by the Bombay Environment Action Group, had ruled that no construction can be permitted within 50 m of mangroves, irrespective of the ownership of the land,” Kulkarni said.
However, Ramesh Gandhi, the builder concerned, asked, “Do you think I would have spent lakhs of rupees in constructing a building by violating the laws? My plans were approved by the building proposals department of the BMC.”
When TOI contacted secretary (environment) Valsa Nair Singh, she appeared to be unaware of any permission being granted for constructions on mangrove land. “I will look into the complaints,” she said. Incidentally, no party objects to the widespread and daylight destruction of mangroves.
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Once-mangrove-now-a-dumpyard/articleshow/6556376.cms