Maharashtra Chief Minister
Devendra Fadnavis has acted swiftly on the plea made to him to check mangrove
killer debris mafia and save Mumbai.
Fadnavis has
referred one appeal to the Urban Development dept and another to Home Ministry.
Hopefully, we
shall see some action soon.
Please check this
interview to Navi Mumbai Awaaz:
And here is the text of the communiqué
sent to the Chief Minister:
Hon’ble Mukhya Mantri ji:
We as a society have been
systematically destroying mangroves in Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Be it in the
island city, the western and eastern suburbs or for that matter Navi Mumbai –
mangroves have been the target of destruction for several years now.
Debris is the inevitable
by-product of construction. Debris mafia has been recklessly and rampantly
killing mangroves by dumping the construction waste along the creeks and the
sea.
Now, an astonishing fact has
come to light. The government infrastructure projects neglecting mangroves and
wetlands.
In Uran area, we found massive
destruction of mangroves and the Regional Forest Officer himself has confirmed
the killing of as many as 4,500 plants in 4.5 hectares. Local residents have
named JNPT SEZ for the rampant killing of mangroves.
Even a school student having
EVS as a subject would tell us the importance f mangroves for the protection
the City’s environment, the coastline and for maintenance of bio-diversity.
Yet, none cares. Sad. Very Sad.
Have we forgotten the Chowpatty
and Mithi floods?
Do we have to wait for another
tragedy to realize and then plan steps to protect the mangroves?
The various officials will tell
you that the mangrove re-plantation is nothing but a sham. Mangroves cannot be
grown on rocky areas. They need natural surroundings.
Through this petition, we
request you to look into the issue of ecological destruction and come out with
a clear cut policy to protect environment – be it mangroves, rivers, wet lands
or even the hills. Parsik Hill, as we have pointed out earlier, has been the
victim of reckless quarrying for four decades.
Thank you.
With regards.
B N KUMAR – Editor, www.thenatureconnect.com
