Builders are systematically destroying mangroves in the Mira-Bhayander region, dumping debris and garbage on them and hacking and dredging the soil for illegal constructions, an NGO of environmentalists has alleged.

A 2005 High Court ruling had banned the destruction of mangroves but even the Mira-Bhayander civic department is involved in the constructions across the mangrove stretch that spans several acres in Jesal Park, Bhayander Chowpatty, RNP Park and Navghar,

Bombay Environmental Action Group (BEAG) alleged this week in a complaint to the district commissioner of Konkan and the collector of Thane.

“The destruction is colossal and most of it is done by the Mira-Bhayander civic department. One of their projects, a road from Jesal Park to Ghodbunder Road in Thane, passes through the mangroves. Besides, there are an illegal police chowky, an illegal water tanker and houses less than 20 metres from the coastline. Farmers have also reclaimed parts of the land within the coastal zone and begun cultivation,” said Dr Sayed Nudrat Zawar, BEAG’s senior conservation officer, who inspected the site last week.

BEAG alleges that the Mira-Bhayendar Municipal Corporation began illegally developing a 10-acre chowpatty three years ago, destroying several mangroves in the region. The revenue department registered two cases but the civic department is said to have gone ahead.

In October 2005, the High Court had ordered “a total freeze on the destruction and cutting of mangroves in Maharashtra”, a mapping of state mangroves, their notification as “protected forests” and a ban on all construction within 50 metres on all sides of mangroves, regardless of ownership of the land. In July 2008, the state notified 5,589 hectares in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai, yet destruction of mangroves has continued, Zawar said.

... contd.