Villagers block tidal flow at Panje to create cricket pitch

Mumbai: The mangrove cell has found that a few villagers around the Panje wetlands have been trying to block the tidal flow in order to create a cricket pitch at the site.

Fishermen and environmentalists have been raising concerns since last week over the repeated drying of the Panje wetlands after which a site inspection has been carried out.

Officials stated that the channels through which tidal water reaches the wetlands had been shut at various places.

“Our team inspected the site after receiving complaints about the drying up of the Panje wetlands. We found that the locals had been trying to dry up the area for setting up a cricket tournament,” said an official from the Konkan Wetland Grievance Redressal Committee.

The officials opened these blockades this week, and directed that the channels should not be blocked again.

“This happens every year, however the water at the wetlands is again restored within 15 days. This time, the wetlands have dried up to a larger extent and birds are not visiting the site which is their natural habitat,” said Parag Gharat, a local resident at Panje village.

The residents however stated that a few blockades had still not been removed.

Experts have said that the Panje wetlands are rich in biodiversity with thousands of birds flocking to the site throughout the year.

A recent Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) report, too, highlighted the vast ecosystem of the wetland area, stressing on the need to preserve it.

As per the Maharashtra National Wetland Atlas 2011, the Panje wetlands have been notified and protected as wetlands in the Uran district.