Activists claim damage of mangroves, TMC denies

Mumbai: In November, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) had been directed by the Konkan Wetland Redressal Committee (KWRC) to restore mangroves at Kopri in two months.  However, activists have claimed that instead of proper restoration by removing the debris from the area, the civic body has scattered the accumulated muck and debris all over the mangrove area. As of now, the mangrove area covered under debris has increased three times than what it was before, alleged activists.

“The affected mangrove area which was around 5 m has increased to 15 m now. In the name of restoration, the TMC has been scattering the debris instead of removing it,” said Rohit Joshi, a Thane based activist.

Environmentalists have also asserted that no expert has been appointed to supervise the restoration. “Instead of restoring the mangroves, they are pushing the debris further into the mangroves. This will open the area for construction,” said Stalin Dayanand, project pirector, NGO Vanashakti.

However, TMC has denied the allegations and maintained that the removal of debris is being done within the purview of ecosystem of the mangrove area. “We have been given work to remove the debris inside the mangrove area which has already begun. There is a road beside the mangrove cover which has big trees at its periphery, we cannot remove the trees and destruct the road,” said Manisha Pradhan, pollution control officer.