Mulund wetland an ecological time-bomb waiting to explode?

Further enquiry has revealed that the area earmarked for construction is an ecologically significant mudflat, protected u00a0u00a0by law; also, authorities have been spurred into action

The disputed mangrove plot thickens. Team MiD DAY made some shocking discoveries in the course of its second excursion into the disputed wetland area.


The area which has been earmarked for development is adjacent to the creek which feeds the mangroves

Near the entrance of the dumping ground was a cabin, within which a dismantled board had been stashed.
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Zooming in, team MiD DAY found that this board announced a certain Zeus Construction was undertaking development work under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce.


Residue of salt indicates that the area was a wetland

Why was this board uprooted from its rightful place and stashed away in an obscure corner, removed from the public eye?

Ignorance is bliss?
Inside the cabin, a forest ranger who did not wish to be named, said that there was no mangrove vegetation in the proposed construction site.

"It is difficult to say if mangroves grew here in the past. The area that has been earmarked for construction is a mudflat region, existing on our land maps as CTS 386.


Though bunds are used to choke the area, water seeps in

This area comes under rules set by the Coastal Regulation Zone I, which includes mangrove habitats. I cannot comment if the construction is legal or illegal, only the boss does," he said.

The forest ranger inadvertently revealed that the area where construction is being planned is a mudflat. These regions across the world are considered to be of great ecological significance, and support ecosystems for a great variety of migratory birds and fish.

Denial
In course of interaction with the civic authorities, MiD DAY picked up the scent of a certain firm named Akruti Builders, the developers of the disputed territory, along with Zeus.
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The firm's spokesperson Naveen Soni, replying on behalf of the Managing Director, Vimal Shah, said, "It is surprising that people with ulterior motives have been making such frivolous allegations. You are requested to visit the site to reach your own satisfactory conclusions."

Expert speak
In the face of contradictory reports over whether the area in question is mangrove territory or not, MiD DAY contacted Dr Goldin Qudros, marine biologist and interim State director of WWF India, who refuted the claims made by Soni.

Quadros, who conducted research on wetlands and ecosystems in Thane and its adjoining areas for a PhD, said, "I have been keenly following your stories.

Let me tell you that the area in Mulund near the Thane creek, where pervasive dumping and reclamation has been sanctioned, always had mangroves. If the soil in the region is examined, it will reveal its alkaline quality, which is characteristic of the mangrove mudflat soil.

Action at last?
Acting on MiD DAY's inputs, the Chief Conservator of Forest (Thane Circle) Suresh Thorat has mobilised a special mangrove squad to patrol the disputed wetland area.

"This is a serious allegation, and we will verify the facts. We have only demarcated about 110 hectares of wetland as a dumping ground, at the behest of the BMC.
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Any other dumping in that area is completely illegal," he said. Deputy Conservator of Forests, Chavan, who heads the mobile mangrove squad, confirmed that his team had been dispatched to the site for inspection.

Citizens came forward to join the crusade, lending support to MiD DAY's campaign. Nitin Bhoir, a resident of Kopri Village, produced recent photographs capturing the pervasive dumping on mangrove habitat, in violation of the board immediately adjacent to it, announcing that it is under special protection rendered by the forest department.

MiD DAY's initiative to protect the mangrove habitat has spurred the Mumbai chapter of the Mangrove Society out of dormancy. The society, which was formed in 2002, has now been revived by environmentalists Rishi Aggarwal and Harish Pandey.

The Society plans to ask the state government for information about the mangrove habitat, in search of clinching evidence of the alleged depletion. It has also proposed the formation of a centralised body, which will be on guard against any developmental activity that could cause harm to the mangrove habitats.