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The most crucial coastal dwellers of the city, mangroves are environmentally vital for us. They are the sole guards of the Mumbai shoreline and hence, it is essential to conserve them. Unfortunately, lack of awareness among the citizens, debris dumping, encroachment, fires and the authorities’ casual attitude towards these issues is making it tough to save the city’s mangroves.
Ray of hope
Currently, the condition of mangroves in the Western Suburbs is a mix of good and bad. While the mangrove cover in Lokhandwala and Oshiwara is positively growing and is well protected, the condition of mangroves in Charkop is rather disappointing. D Stalin, an environmental activist, says, “The Oshiwara wetlands are the largest in the Westcoast region and hence, this area has to be protected at any cost.” Rishi Agarwal, Oshiwara-based environmental activist, says, “I am fairly satisfied with the current condition of the Oshiwara and Lokhandwala area. However, I do feel that citizen participation is pathetically low. Apart from a handful of activists and a few associations, there is nobody to push the matter. This is one of the reasons that the culprits, who harm the mangroves, get away. With higher citizen participation, the scenario will get better.”
The fire game
Since the green stretch is relatively better in Oshiwara and Lokhandwala, episodes of deliberate sabotage should be stopped immediately and stringent laws should be implemented. Last week, there was an incidence of the mangroves in the land owned by the Sahara group in Oshiwara catching fire. Locals cried foul, as they believed it to have been a planned stunt. Sumesh Lekhi of Oshiwara Lokhandwala Residents Association says, “It was a huge fire and we think it was deliberately started, as this is a prime area. We had filed a complaint with N Vasudevan, chief conservator of forests (Mangrove Cell), and RA Rajeev, environment secretary, Mantralaya. Rajeev said that it is a matter of serious concern and he has directed the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority to look into it.”
Sore spot
Upper Malad areas like Malwani, Madh, Marve and Kandivali’s Charkop Sector 8 areas are not well protected. Encroachment in Charkop Sector 8 and Malwani is increasing exponentially and despite several complaints, the problem persists. Mili Shetty, chief coordinator, Charkop Sector 8 Vikas Samiti, elucidates, “This 136-hectare mangrove area is facing several problems due to the lack of proper protection. From my house, I can see around 100 huts encroaching into the mangrove area. I had complained to the police and BMC about this. Officials from the pollution board had come to my place to see the condition for themselves. They took photographs, read my appeal letters and left. I have not heard from them since.”
Every time a fire is spotted in the mangrove area, the police and fire brigade are informed, but the former take it too lightly. Shetty had approached the BMC and had even written a letter to the local police station, but did not receive any response. There have also been cases of debris being dumped in the mangrove area, but the authorities have turned a blind eye to it.
N Vasudevan, chief conservator of forests, Mangrove Cell, Mumbai, explains, “There was encroachment at some places in Sector 8, but on the land that belonged to the revenue department. We collectively took care of the situation and since then, there have been no complaints. Last year, in fact we had done a mangrove plantation drive in Charkop, which turned out fairly good.”
pooja.patel@dnaindia.net
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