Despite repeated complaints and efforts to curb debris dumping in Ulwe sector 22, the environmental menace persists, highlighting a concerning lapse in regulatory oversight.
Activist Sunil Agarwal’s vigilance, which initially led to authorities checking the dumping a month ago, has been rendered ineffective as dumping activities have resumed unabated. The recurrence of dumping, previously reported in May 2023, underscores the severity of the issue and its detrimental impact on the local ecosystem. Ulwe, an area connected to the Navi Mumbai International Airport via the Atal Setu, has witnessed extensive dumping, raising questions about the purpose and legality of such activities. Of particular concern is the massive dumping and levelling work carried out during daylight hours, despite the presence of dense mangroves in the area. Over the past two years, unchecked debris dumping has resulted in the loss of numerous mangrove habitats and the encroachment of coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) land, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
Last year, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board’s sub-regional officer (Raigad-I), VV Killedar, drew attention to the issue by writing to the superintending engineer of the Ulwe node of the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). The letter highlighted dumping incidents across various sectors, including sector 22, which falls within the CRZ area, indicating widespread regulatory violations. Despite such alerts and complaints, authorities have failed to effectively address the ongoing environmental degradation, raising questions about their commitment to preserving natural resources and upholding regulatory standards. The persistence of debris dumping in Ulwe sector 22 underscores the urgent need for coordinated action and stringent enforcement measures to protect sensitive ecosystems and prevent further ecological harm.
As concerns mount over environmental sustainability and the protection of fragile coastal ecosystems, stakeholders must prioritise proactive measures to address illegal dumping and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Failure to do so not only jeopardizes local biodiversity but also undermines efforts towards sustainable development and environmental conservation in the region. Referring to the complaint filed by Sunil Agarwal, the board has asked Cidco to take appropriate action against those dumping debris in the area to prevent any damage to the mangroves. Local resident Dr Amar Satpute alleged, “The dumping of debris and ongoing work is never monitored by any agency. Even if the coastal road work is underway there is no need to have massive dumping on a large scale beyond the limits of the road size.” Activist Sunil Agarwal complained, “It is most shocking that the dumping continues in Ulwe even after inspection was done by mangroves grievance redressal committee on Friday (April 26). Is this committee reduced to a joke on poor citizens? Neither debris removed nor dumping stopped even a year after our complaint. Debris dumping is done by using trucks and excavators.”
