Officials turn blind eye to destruction of mangroves in Dahisar

Activists complaining against blatant destruction of mangroves and encroachment for almost a year at a site in Dahisar are quite miffed with lackadaisical approach of the authorities. While the officials are stuck in red-tapism, action is being delayed against those who destroyed the mangroves.

The site (CTS number 1413) is located at Anand Nagar, Dahisar East next to the famous Vithal Rukmini temple. Members of New Link Road Residents Forum (NLRRF) — who have been pursuing the matter for the past one year — have already written several letters to authorities including BMC, Tehsildar as well as the police to take action under Environment Protection Act.

"The Tehsildar has already sent three reminders seeking details from the mangrove cell, the latest being on July 12. However, there has been no reply so far due to which the Tehsildar office cannot initiate further action, including filing of an FIR for mangrove destruction. Due to all this red tapeism and delay the environment is suffering," said Harish Pandey, president of New Link Road Residents Forum (NLRRF), questioning the delay by mangrove cell that is the nodal agency for mangrove protection in Maharashtra.

The issue was first highlighted in 2013 when there was a stray incident of destruction. However, since April 2015 we have been regularly writing to officials seeking action to be taken against those who destroyed the mangroves and are operating different business,

"As per law, the Tehsildar only files an FIR in cases of mangrove destruction after mangrove cell sends a letter of confirmation about details pertaining to land and checking the satellite images they have. Now, we are clueless about what mangrove cell officials are doing despite of receiving three reminders," said Pandey, adding that such delays only frustrate activists fighting for the cause of mangroves as while they keep complaining pristine mangroves are being destroyed.

In their various complaints, the NLRRF even provided Google Earth images dated back to 2004. "In the images of 2004 one can clearly see a small water body and mangroves and there was no activity on the plot, but gradually destruction begins from 2009 and by 2016 the impact of destruction is clearly evident as the land is cleared," said chairman of NLRRF, Dr SP Mathew, adding that in such matters action should be taken at the earliest as delays can result in more mangroves and environment damages.

A senior official from mangrove cell said that he will have to go through the case in detail. "I will speak to the concerned officials in charge of the area and understand the reason if there has been delay. Normally, we have to carry out a joint inspection along with Tehsildar to get details about mangrove destruction," he said.