As the Dharavi redevelopment project progresses, plans to expand into salt pan lands in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs have sparked fears of an environmental crisis. In the second part of its series, mid-day speaks to opponents, environmentalists, and experts who warn that reclaiming salt pans and open spaces could increase flooding risks and disrupt the fragile ecological balance.
 
The matter was also challenged in the Bombay High Court in October this year. Sagar Devre, a lawyer and Mumbai resident, raised concerns about the ecological significance of salt pan land, emphasising its role as a vital part of the coastal ecosystem. Supporting mangroves, wetlands and estuaries, this land not only maintains an ecological balance but also provides livelihoods for salt harvesters. Devre highlighted that salt pans, being low-lying areas, act as natural sponges, absorbing rainwater and preventing excessive flooding. He warned that allowing construction on these lands would lead to environmental disasters.

More than 58 acres of salt pan land in Mulund have been freed up for rehabilitation