Mangroves eaten up by debris in Airoli
NAVI MUMBAI: Several truckloads of debris have been dumped on a 2-km
stretch from Patni ground to Sunil Chougule Sports Association,
encompassing sector 19 and 20, in Airoli during the last few days. This
has destroyed the mangroves and choked a nearby nullah.
Surprisingly, the incident took place even after the formation of Mangrove Conservation Committee comprising various government agencies.
Locals and activist said this has been taking place unabated, as there is no mechanism in place to thwart those dumping debris. Ironically, the agencies have no updates about rampant dumping in the mangroves area. NMMC has appealed to citizens to assist the authorities in the absence of round-the-clock surveillance.
Environmentalist Anil Bhujbal said, "How can the authorities ignore such dumping of debris, that too within the pillars put up by the forest department, which indicate a protected area? The conservation committee has failed miserably to initiate stringent action against the perpetrators."
A roadside storm water drain along Patni road, which opens out in the creek through dense mangroves zone, has been partially choked by dumped debris. Even this has gone unnoticed by the authorities.
Last month, a nearby nullah in the backyard of Airoli STP plant was choked due to dumping of old construction material besides discarded paints and limestone packets.
"Since 24-hour surveillance along the creek is impossible by the civic body, activists and citizens should come forward with complaints and photographs of such locations to enable us take action. Without residents' support, it will be a challenging task," said Ankush Chavan, NMMC additional commissioner, who is a member of the conservation committee.
G K Anarse, general manager of Cidco's mangrove cell, who represents Cidco in the committee, said, "In the maiden meeting of the mangrove conservation committee, it was decided that each agency would be responsible for cracking the whip on those dumping debris. NMMC will be asked to explain its stand on this issue in the next review meeting."
On November 9, a high-level committee was constituted under Konkan Divisional Commissioner Tanaji Satre in compliance with a high court directive. During the maiden meeting, it was decided that CCTV cameras would be installed along areas prone to illegal dumping of debris, leading to destruction of mangroves.
Surprisingly, the incident took place even after the formation of Mangrove Conservation Committee comprising various government agencies.
Locals and activist said this has been taking place unabated, as there is no mechanism in place to thwart those dumping debris. Ironically, the agencies have no updates about rampant dumping in the mangroves area. NMMC has appealed to citizens to assist the authorities in the absence of round-the-clock surveillance.
Environmentalist Anil Bhujbal said, "How can the authorities ignore such dumping of debris, that too within the pillars put up by the forest department, which indicate a protected area? The conservation committee has failed miserably to initiate stringent action against the perpetrators."
A roadside storm water drain along Patni road, which opens out in the creek through dense mangroves zone, has been partially choked by dumped debris. Even this has gone unnoticed by the authorities.
Last month, a nearby nullah in the backyard of Airoli STP plant was choked due to dumping of old construction material besides discarded paints and limestone packets.
"Since 24-hour surveillance along the creek is impossible by the civic body, activists and citizens should come forward with complaints and photographs of such locations to enable us take action. Without residents' support, it will be a challenging task," said Ankush Chavan, NMMC additional commissioner, who is a member of the conservation committee.
G K Anarse, general manager of Cidco's mangrove cell, who represents Cidco in the committee, said, "In the maiden meeting of the mangrove conservation committee, it was decided that each agency would be responsible for cracking the whip on those dumping debris. NMMC will be asked to explain its stand on this issue in the next review meeting."
On November 9, a high-level committee was constituted under Konkan Divisional Commissioner Tanaji Satre in compliance with a high court directive. During the maiden meeting, it was decided that CCTV cameras would be installed along areas prone to illegal dumping of debris, leading to destruction of mangroves.
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