Mumbai: The mangrove cell is planning to plant mango saplings in the mangrove areas where demolition of illegal structures has been carried out. This will be done under the project to restore mangroves affected by destruction.

The move comes after the removal of debris and mud from demolition of illegal structures remains incomplete, coming in the way of restoration of mangrove land. “At many sites, there are chances of illegal encroachments resurfacing, which is why we need to grow them again. At many sites, we have already started the work of digging up trenches but we hope that the debris will soon be removed so that it does not choke up the dug trenches,” said an official from the state mangrove cell.

Soon after freeing the mangrove land from encroachments, the state mangrove cell digs two-metre-deep trenches to ensure free flow of tidal water to restore the area.

According to the officials, the work of removing the debris lies with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), whic-h has been completed only partially. Not just mangoes, the mangrove body is also mulling planting other species of plants, which can be accommodated in these areas like Miswak plants. However, the body is consulting wi-th experts about the feasibility of growing these pl-ants in the affected areas.

In the past two years, the mangrove cell has cleared more than 5,000 illegal structures from the eight locations that have mangrove cover in and around Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.