BMC clears proposal for coastal committee

BJP corporator Yogita Koli on June 25 had proposed setting up an independent coastal committee under the civic body to oversee the conservation, protection, management and sustainable development of Mumbai’s coastline.

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) proposal to set up a coastal committee was cleared in the general body meeting on Friday. BJP corporator Yogita Koli on June 25 had proposed setting up an independent coastal committee under the civic body to oversee the conservation, protection, management and sustainable development of Mumbai’s coastline.

Mumbai, India - 20th May 2019:- Fishermen parking a new boat after the pooja at Worli Koliwada, Mumbai, India, on May 20 2019. (Photo by Aalok Soni/ Hindustan Times)

The proposal was approved after corporators across party lines supported it in Friday’s meeting. The house now seeks a report from the municipal commissioner on the feasibility and desirability of implementing the recommendations.

In her proposal, Koli pointed to growing concerns over sewage discharge, the disposal of plastic and other solid waste, unauthorised encroachments along coastal areas and the degradation of marine biodiversity.

She also highlighted the problems faced by Koliwadas, arguing that these issues adversely affected Mumbai’s coastal ecosystem.

Koli proposed that the coastal committee should address a range of issues, including controlling marine pollution, ensuring beach cleanliness and beautification, protecting marine biodiversity, planning coastal area development, improving and redeveloping basic infrastructure in Koliwadas, and promoting marine tourism and coordinating policies and projects affecting Mumbai’s coastal belt.

The proposal also calls for the committee to include representatives of the Koli community, corporators representing coastal areas, experts from the marine and environmental sectors, representatives of relevant business sectors and concerned municipal and administrative officials.

Such a body, the proposal mentioned, could provide a coordinated mechanism for planning, monitoring and implementing measures aimed at preventing environmental damage while ensuring the sustainable development of Mumbai’s 150-km coastline.