Coming to the rescue of mangroves and surrounding wetlands in neighbouring Navi Mumbai, the Bombay High Court has directed the state government and Cidco to stop dumping debris on wetlands.
The HC has also asked them to initiate civil and criminal action against people who were responsible for damaging the ecosystem.
The HC was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) by Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society, a body formed by local environmentalists, raising concern over alleged attempts to illegally reclaim two natural lakes and surrounding wetlands.
The PIL sought preservation of mangroves and wetlands and alleging that the town planning authority was doing nothing to protect the mangroves.
A division bench of justices Abhay Oka and Amjad Sayed has given six weeks time to Cidco to clear the debris dumped on mangroves at Palm Beach and natural lakes – DPS and Chanakya lakes.
"Mangroves attract migratory birds and people go there for bird watching. It is the duty of the government and the Cidco to protect the mangroves and wetlands," observed the court.
The HC has also directed the Cidco to put up barricades wherever required in order to prevent trucks from dumping on these lands. The inlet to the lakes has to be cleared to ensure flow of water.
Also, responsibility has been fixed on forest officer and offical concerned with the Cidco for removing unauthorised constructions to ensure that no more dumping was carried out on mangroves and the wetlands.
The judges have asked the police to provide protection if required by the authorities for ensuring that there is no more dumping of debris.
The HC has directed that a compliance report be submitted by June 13 and has kept the matter for hearing on June 20.
The HC, in February, had directed inspection of the mangroves and the two natural lakes following the PIL alleging that debris was being dumped on it.
The lakes are natural habitats for migratory birds and the authority has been directed to take necessary steps to stop alleged illegal dumping of construction debris and garbage in the lakes and surrounding wetlands.
One of the two lakes is situated behind the Delhi Public School in Nerul and is spread on an area of 30 acres and the other is situated behind Maritime University, TS Chanakya in sector 34.
The PIL also raised concern over Cidco's plan to construct Living Heritage – a cultural theme park at Kharghar, alleging that it poses a major threat to the ecology in the locality. "Ironically, the site selected is right in the middle of eco-sensitive wetlands and reed beds that support multiple species," states the PIL.
