Temporary fencing for affected areas soon?

Mumbai: The mangrove cell has proposed to install temporary chain-link fencing in the mangrove areas affected by encroachment across Mumbai. In the backdrop of the delay in constructing a 10-feet-high compound wall, the mangrove cell will put fences across the encroached mangroves after demolition of illegal structures.

“The approval of erecting compound wall within a 50-metre buffer zone of mangroves is pending. We had approached the environment department six months back, however there has not been any update on the same,” said a senior official from mangrove cell. The mangrove cell resumed its anti-encroachment drive in April after taking a short break during the school examination to prevent inconvenience to students.

There are few areas still left to be cleared including areas in Malad, Cheeta Camp-Trombay, Colaba, and Vikhroli. “This will be one of the largest demolition drive in mangrove areas in Mumbai,” he added.

The Asian Age had earlier reported that approximately 3,809 illegal structures were demolished in 2016-2017 at Charkop, Colaba, Mandale in Mankhurd, Chheda Nagar in Chembur and Malad, while 299 complaints of mangrove destruction and encroachment were received last year in 2017.

Usage of mangroves

Mangroves not only help in preventing soil erosion but also act as a catalyst in reclaiming land from seas. This is a very unique phenomenon, since there is a general tendency of water to engulf land. Mangrove forests and estuaries are the breeding and nursery grounds for a number of marine organisms including  shrimp, crab and fish species.