illegal slums on mangroves

The images below speak for themselves. This post has been possible due to the recent timeline feature of Google Earth and much thanks to them.

This is not an isolated incidence but more the norm. In 2007 Mangrove Society of India (Mumbai Chapter) started an exercise to document all such imagery but unfortunately due to the perpetual shortage of resource the exercise did not progress much.

On the first anniversary of the 26/11 attacks when there will be a lot of discussion on saving ourselves from the enemies outside it would be good to understand whether it is people from Pakistan who have come and helped break the CRZ notification and build slums like the ones below, in important mangroves and creek areas, which drains water from heavily populated areas behind?

(For best results, right click and open images in new window)

The initial dumping of debris over mangroves and preparing ground for slums has just started. Note that this is post the then 1995 slum deadline and even past the now 2000 deadline.

By now the damage to the creek and the mangroves is quite clear and the first slums have established themselves.

The job is complete. Your illegal slum is well established.

The red rectangle shows the affected area between SVP MHada (Versova Telephone Exchange) and Seven Bungalows

This is how it looks

————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Would these slums have come up without support from local politicians and police and Collector patronage? Some of the MSI members who were very active in 2002 did bring authorities to site and have a demolition. A second demolition was supported by some residents close by and then nothing.

Again this is a coastal area and who knows who can come up the creek and use these slums as a base? Where is the security then?

Are these slums provided with photo passes which push them behind 2000 or 1995 deadlines? How can the police which supports such illegality be expected to protect?

Its time those who engage in candle marches and other forums started involving themselves with the numerous visible breakdowns and serious initiatives to prevent them.

We will be submitting a petition to the CM about action to be taken on these illegal slums. If you would like your name to be on the petition do let us know.