Mumbai: The citizens of Navi Mumbai have identified around 326 hectares of wetlands and mangrove areas in Kharghar, in a first of a kind wetland database. A list of as many as 39 wetland areas has been submitted to the Konkan commissioner and state forest department in the wake of high court order stating that wetlands of Navi Mumbai needs protection. Activists and citizens with the help of volunteers of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and urban planners have taken permission from the Konkan commissioner to undergo this exercise, which will help in including these wetlands in the inventory by the state.
While 183 hectares of mangrove areas have been listed, 73 hectares of coastal wetland and 50 hectares of inland wetland including ponds have been documented. Locals of Kharghar said that they had repeatedly written to the environment department of Maharashtra, which is undertaking the mapping of wetlands in the state along with various departments and corporations involved.
“We had requested the department to share the methods being used, the status of the work and the details of the team involved with the aim to volunteer to help out in the process as well as to seek greater transparencies. We assembled a team of dedicated individuals from different relevant lines of profession and interests to create an inventory ourselves,” said Nareshchandra Singh, resident of Kharghar working towards preservation of wetlands. However, the citizens group stated that the project is not associated with any particular organisation.
Maps of the wetlands, mangroves and streams have been clearly shown and labelled, and the submission has been made along with a database of these natural resources
A senior official from the Konkan wetland grievances redressal committee said, “We have received a list of mangroves and wetlands identified in Kharghar. The citizens had met us regarding the exercise which we will consider after proper verification from our side.”
