‘Wall along Mithi prevents mangroves from getting water’

MUMBAI: The retaining wall built along the Mithi River at BandraKurla-Complex (BKC) by the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), is killing

MUMBAI: The retaining wall built along the Mithi River at BandraKurla-Complex (BKC) by the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), is killing mangrove trees, environmentalists have said.

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Members of non-profit organisation Watchdog Foundation filed a complaint with MMRDA on Tuesday alleging that the retaining wall had completely blocked an inlet carrying sea water to the mangrove patch located near a government housing colony at BKC.

“We have satellite images from 2007 that showed the original free flow of water as opposed to images from 2010 that clearly show a drop in mangrove cover in the area,” said Godfrey Pimenta, a trustee. “With a number of illegal shanties and debris dumped here, the cover is thinning. Immediate action needs to be taken to allow free flow of tidal water across the patch.”

According to state mangrove cell officials, tidal water is essential for the nourishment of mangrove trees.

“During high tide, sea water submerges mangroves partially and during low tide, when the water recedes, salt from it is absorbed by the trees as nutrients and prevents the root system from drying up,” said N Vasudevan, chief conservator of forests, state mangrove cell. “Mangroves require regular tidal flushing to survive.”

Intended to protect adjacent areas along the Mithi River from flooding, after the 2005 deluge, the Mithi River Development and Protection Authority under MMRDA, had constructed the wall in 2009.

In 2013, Janak Dafatri, from Jalbiradri, along with NGO Vanashakti, had filed an application at the National Green Tribunal, western bench in Pune against the state for hampering mangroves. The case was passed to the principal Tribunal bench in Delhi in January. In May, the Tribunal slapped a fine of Rs25 lakh on the MMRDA.

MMRDA filed a writ petition challenging the Tribunal order in the Bombay high court. The matter is up for hearing on Thursday.