Nerul Wetlands Threatened as Jackals Flee Sector 52A

Once a protected haven of biodiversity, Sector 52A in Nerul is now on the brink of ecological collapse as rampant construction overtakes this designated wetland and forest zone.

In a stark indicator of the damage unfolding, a family of Indian jackals — elusive, shy, and increasingly rare in urban regions — was recently spotted fleeing the area, prompting alarm among environmentalists and local residents. The sighting comes amid aggressive land clearing operations and tree felling, reportedly linked to ongoing attempts to reclassify Sector 52A under the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s draft Development Plan. If approved, this reclassification will legalise residential construction in what was once classified as mangrove and forest land. Environmental groups argue this would be a grave breach of urban ecological planning and sustainability norms.

A senior official from Save Navi Mumbai Environment, a prominent citizens’ collective, condemned the developments, stating, “This is not just environmental destruction; it’s an orchestrated effort to erase the city’s natural defences. The presence of jackals is proof that the area still holds ecological value. Bulldozing it for real estate threatens more than just wildlife — it risks the city’s future resilience to climate change and flooding.” Residents report that over 300 mature trees have been felled without due process. Landscapes that once hosted migratory birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals now lie barren. Despite repeated court directives, CIDCO has failed to transfer mangrove zones under its jurisdiction to the Forest Department, delaying conservation action and legal accountability.

Moreover, the long-promised declaration of Sector 52A as a Conservation Reserve remains only on paper. Forest Department action is yet to be seen on the ground, raising questions about political will and administrative inertia. The environmental degradation isn’t just a wildlife concern. Experts warn of cascading effects on urban flood management, groundwater recharge, and air quality. “Navi Mumbai’s wetlands act as natural flood buffers. Encroaching on them with concrete directly increases urban vulnerability,” said an ecologist associated with the Indian Institute of Environmental Studies.

Public sentiment is increasingly shifting towards activism. Local residents, backed by environmental NGOs, have demanded an immediate moratorium on all development in Sector 52A. Their demands include a permanent revocation of land allotments by CIDCO, legal action against those involved in illegal deforestation, and urgent steps to complete the handover of mangrove lands to the Forest Department. This situation reflects a broader national dilemma — the collision of rapid urban expansion with environmental preservation. Cities like Navi Mumbai, aspiring to become sustainable and climate-resilient, cannot afford to lose their green lungs to speculative construction.

While the situation remains legally and politically fluid, what is undeniably clear is the need for urgent policy intervention. With the monsoon approaching, Sector 52A stands as both a warning and a symbol — of what is lost when development tramples over nature.

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Nerul Wetlands Threatened as Jackals Flee Sector 52A