D Stalin, a prominent member of the high court-appointed mangroves protection committee and representative of the Vanashakti NGO, has issued a stark warning to state government authorities regarding the alarming destruction of mangroves in Sabe village, Diva.
In a formal complaint, Stalin has underscored the urgent need for state intervention to prevent the imminent disappearance of mangrove ecosystems in the area. Highlighting the rapid and extensive loss of mangroves, wetlands, and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas in Mumbra and Diva, located in Thane district, Stalin has raised concerns over rampant encroachment and illegal reclamation activities. The encroachments, he notes, have proliferated, leading to the unlawful occupation and destruction of vital mangrove lands. Of particular concern are the Desai creek and Mumbra creek areas, where mangrove degradation has reached critical levels. According to Stalin’s complaint, if immediate action is not taken, the village of Sabe in Diva faces the grim prospect of losing all its mangroves within the next two months.
The gravity of the situation necessitates swift and decisive action from state authorities to curb further destruction and enforce stringent measures to protect mangrove ecosystems. Mangroves play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems, serving as natural buffers against erosion, providing habitat for diverse marine life, and acting as carbon sinks to mitigate climate change. Stalin’s plea serves as a wake-up call, urging state authorities to prioritise environmental conservation and uphold legal safeguards for mangrove protection. Failure to address the ongoing destruction not only jeopardizes ecological balance but also undermines efforts towards sustainable development and biodiversity preservation. As the state grapples with mounting environmental challenges, including the loss of critical habitats like mangroves, proactive measures and robust enforcement of environmental laws are imperative. The urgency of the situation demands coordinated action and collaborative efforts to safeguard India’s natural heritage for future generations.
Already, huge mangrove patches have been lost, he has said. “We have taken photos of multiple locations where destruction is happening. The election period is being used to destroy mangroves. The government machinery is nowhere to be seen. Literally every construction is happening on mangroves or within 50 mt of it,” said Stalin. Dumping of debris, mud, garbage is rampant at multiple locations. Burning and burying mangroves seems to be the common methodology adopted here. The entire zone of Sabe village looks like a “lawless area with destruction of mangroves, wetlands and CRZ areas happening all over the place.” Additional principal chief conservator of forests (mangrove cell) S V Ramarao told media that they would first verify all aspects of Stalin’s complaint and then comment on the matter RTI activist Anarjit Chauhan, said: “Election duty must not be given to forest officials because they have to deal with the important, sensitive issue of protecting our forests, wetlands.”
