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.
