Greens send SOS to President, CEC

Mumbai: Environmental activists have written to the President of India and the chief election commissioner of India, citing neglect of the environment by officials under the pretext of election duty. They have alleged destruction of eco-sensitive wetlands and mangroves in Navi Mumbai Special Economic Zone (NMSEZ) in Uran, Navi Mumbai.

In their letter to the CEC and President, the group has submitted the latest photographs and video clips, pointing at the walled areas of the NMSEZ - which has failed to take off over the past two decades or so – suddenly witnessing massive landfill.

The letter from Paaramparik Machhimar Bachao Kruti Samiti, The Nature Connect, and Shri Ekvira Aai Pratishtan (SEAP), regretted, “Although it is common knowledge that the mangroves and wetlands act as protective cover for coastal areas against high tides, the multi-billion rupee infrastructure companies and governments have been woefully ignorant of this aspect or they just do not care for their social responsibility and environment care.”

Nandakumar Pawar, head of SEAP, said, “With the officials who are supposed to keep an eye on environment destruction not paying any attention as they are all busy with election duties, the eco sensitive zone will be relegated to history by May 23. Our simple question is who will be responsible for the irreparable loss to the ecology?”

Activist B.N. Kumar, director of The Nature Connect, said, “The recent CRZ notification also does not allow construction within 50 metres of tidal areas. But NMSEZ is recklessly and mercilessly dumping soil and debris on water and mangroves. Apart from the destruction of nature, the Constitutional right to practice their traditional trade has been denied to the local people.” They have also claimed violation of the Forest Right Act (FRA), adding that the entire green belt of 27,480 hectares has been turned into a massive dusty desert land.