Newlinkroad's Blog

The parched mangroves
Illegal bund dries up Dahisar mangroves
Viju B | TNN

Mumbai: Two weeks ago, large stretches of mangroves at Dahisar got a lifeline when an artificial bund [illegally put by Kandivali based builder Jayesh Shah of Ravi group] that blocked free flow of sea water suddenly developed a crack. Strong tidal impact of the super moon caused water to gush into the mangroves land. Now, the bund has once again been repaired [even as the Supreme court imposed time of 60 days to remove all bunds and restore the land to the original position runs out!]; fresh layers of boulders, stones and debris have been laid at the spot where it had broken as a recent photo taken on the 10th of April 2011 shows.
This illegal activity has taken place in gross violation of a January 2011 Supreme Court order, which had directed builder Jayesh Shah to open the bund for the survival of the mangroves within two months. The Supreme Court extended the deadline to April 28 as the builder asked for more time to remove the debris.
“It is unfortunate that the bund has been closed again. People are bent upon destroying nature for vested interests,’’ said Harish Pandey, a member of the New Link Road Residents Forum that has been fighting to save the verdant mangrove stretch since the past two years.
He said the super moon had such a fierce tidal impact that water from the Gorai creek ruptured the wall of the dumped debris. “It rushed into a large stretch of mangroves, soaking the arid land and imparting a fresh lease of life to the mangroves. But this has now gone waste,” said Pandey.
On March 3, Mumbai suburban collector Nirmal Deshmukh wrote to the builder that very little had been done about removal of the debris. “From inspection of the site, I conclude that your intentions were not good. You are requested to implement the Supreme Court order in its true sense and spirit, otherwise stern action will be taken,’’ the collector had said in his letter. A survey by the sub-divisional officer also showed that only 5% of the debris had been removed.

Residents said three reports by the state forest department, revenue department and the Supreme Court-appointed panel had shown up dumping of debris on the mangroves area. “The Supreme Court passed the order based on Justice Tahaliyani’s report on December 10 last year, which confirmed dumping of construction debrison the mangroves,’’ Pandey said.
“Mangroves form a rampart and can protect the city’s coast from flash floods,’’ said Dr S. P. Mathew, a member of the forum.

Times View
It’s safe to say that the mangroves in Dahisar would have been history by now had it not been for the efforts of ordinary people residing there. The administration has tried to help residents, but hamstrung by a huge shortage of manpower, has not really been able to play the role expected of it. It should learn a lesson from these ordinary Mumbaikars who, despite repeated threats and assaults, have displayed exemplary courage to stick to their stand.