Bombay High Court orders fresh inspection of mangroves

Mumbai: The Chief Justice of the Bombay high court has directed the Thane Municipal corporation, the collector, forest and conservation officer to conduct a fresh inspection of the mangroves that were allegedly cut down and illegal construction was going on in Agasan village. The court expressed dissatisfaction on a report submitted by the court receiver after he conducted a survey of the area and reported that the mangroves had been restored.

A bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M.S. Sonak, was hearing a  petition filed ?by locals drawing the attention of the court towards the destruction of mangroves and unauthorised construction in Agasan village. However, after the petition was filed the petitioners stopped coming and hence the court had directed the court receiver to visit the spot and submit a report.

On Thursday, after perusing the report and pictorial evidence submitted by the court receiver of the mangroves being restored, the bench was livid and rubbished the report, as it said the report was misleading. “Situation has become worse. These photos point to newly planted trees which are hardly two feet in height. There are hardly any mangroves. How can we call this restoration of mangroves?” said Ms Chellur. Holding that the report was not satisfactory, Ms Chellur even chided the receiver for not doing the inspection personally or taking the help of an expert.