Factory amid Dahisar mangroves demolished

New Link Road Resident’s Forum features yet again in

TIMES IMPACT

Factory amid Dahisar mangroves demolished

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

30^th October Times Of India page 5

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday demolished the Cement drainage pipe factory set up in the middle of mangroves at Anand Nagar, Dahisar East. The factory had been functional for two months.

Local residents had complained to the New Link Road Residents’ Forum, which then took up the matter with the BMC, the police and the mangrove cell. After TOI highlighted the issue in its October 29 edition, the civic squad swung into action and demolished the entire factory the same day.

“There are six large containers which the operators have promised to remove by Tuesday night. If they do not do so, we shall prosecute them under the Maharashtra Region Town Planning Act,” said a civic official.

Asked if no action would be taken by the civic body for illegally operating a factory and for destruction of mangroves, the civic official said he will have to check with the forest department and then initiate action.

Dr. S P Mathew, member of the New Link Road Residents’ Forum, said they were happy to see the civic body take such prompt action.
“It is partly because it was publicized in the newspaper. But we hope this serves as a deterrent,” he said.
He said since the formation of the forum in 2009, instances of mangroves being destroyed in their area had reduced. “This is not in our area but we are happy that the awareness is spreading. Often, some civic and police officials are in cahoots with offenders but vigilant citizens can prevent destruction,” he said.

The forum is now focusing on creating awareness among children so that they too stand up to protect the environment, he said.

Harish Pandey, another member of the forum, said they will now follow up with the mangrove cell to ensure that the destroyed mangrove patch is restored as soon as possible.