Locals claim tidal water in wetland blocked

Mumbai: A day after the Bombay high court directed the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO) and developer, Mistry Constructions, to remove debris from the Seawoods wetland, locals have complained to the Konkan Wetland Grievance Redressal Committee (KWGRC) regarding reduction in levels of the water body behind the NRI complex.

Sunil Agarwal, a resident of the complex, in his letter urging the committee to investigate into the matter, said that the water level was not showing any increase even during high tide. Residents alleged that the four gates near the pond had been shut down, holding back the tidal water and leaving the water body high and dry.

The letter read, “The level of wetland of approximately 20 hectare behind the NRI complex has suddenly reduced alarmingly. It doesn’t increase during high tide either.” Residents said that the gates had been there for years, incidents of disturbance in water flow were unusual.

Locals have also requested the wetland committee to discuss the matter as part of the agenda of the next meeting. Harleen Oberoi, a resident, said, “Water in the bigger pond next to the NRI complex is reducing at an alarming rate since the last couple of days. Through one of the gates, water is continuously flowing out and the movement is only one way. If you compare the water in both the ponds, the other one is normal. How can tidal water reach one pond but not the other?”

Forest department officials said that a team would inspect the site. Jayarame Gowda, deputy conservator of forests, mangrove cell, said, “The area belongs to CIDCO and is managed by them. If there are complaints regarding blockage of tidal water, we will send a team to inspect the site.”