Constructions causing damage to Dahisar mangroves, says probe
A government probe into the destruction of mangroves at Dahisar found out that construction activity in the region had damaged the coastal vegetation in the area.
A government probe into the destruction of mangroves at Dahisar found out that construction activity in the region had damaged the coastal vegetation in the area.
The four-member probe committee of forest officials found that construction debris dumped in certain parts of the 430-acre patch had blocked seawater from entering mangroves causing destruction.
“We have submitted photographs that show that the construction on an embankment has damaged mangroves,” said Shri Bhagavan, chief conservator of forest, Thane.
“The patches that did not have access to sea water for more than 24 hours have died,” he added.
However, nobody has taken any action against the company building the embankment.
“A Bombay High Court ruling in January has empowered the forest department to take action,” said Valsa Nair
Singh, state environment secretary.
Ashok Joshi, the principal conservator of forest, was not available for comment.
The state government took more than a month to stop the dumping in the area which started on April 14.
The construction activity started after a Supreme Court ruling which allowed construction of an embankment in the region.
The menace finally stopped on May 21 following a marathon protest by local environmentalists and Sheetal Mhatre, municipal corporator.
On the same day Suburban Collector Vishwas Patil who failed to stop the dumping for about weeks was transferred.
However, Mantralaya officials did not confirm the reason of the transfer.
“We cannot attribute the transfer to this case because he has completed the tenure,” said a Mantralay official requesting anonymity.