The Indian Express              16.12.2013

Mangrove cell removes blockages in culverts

The mangrove cell and the BMC have taken action after receiving several complaints of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations near mangroves in the western suburbs.

In the case of culverts being blocked to stop inter-tidal water from reaching mangroves in Gorai, as reported by The Indian Express last week, the mangrove cell officials removed most of the stone and cement blockages on Saturday.

During a site inspection Friday, mangrove cell officials had found medium-sized stones blocking seven-eight culverts that allow inter-tidal water to reach the mangroves on land, where the Essel Group has an amusement park.

"Our team removed the stones and cement work that was blocking the water to the mangrove areas. We will submit a

report to the civic body Monday," said D L Mate, range forest officer, mangrove cell.

In the second case of CRZ violations, where a builder was allegedly dumping debris within 50 metres of mangroves at NL Complex in Dahisar, assistant commissioner of R/North Santosh Dhonde Saturday asked the assistant engineer (building factory) to file a case against the builder under Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act. This comes a week after the civic body had asked the builder to remove the debris following reports of violations from the mangrove cell.