Mangroves being ‘killed’ in Malvani

Local residents and activists have alleged large-scale destruction of mangroves is taking place at Malvani-Marve Road. By killing mangroves, the land mafia is trying to grab land so that it can construct slums on it, they have said.

Godfrey Pimenta, a resident of Malvani and who belongs to the Watchdog Foundation, said, “These mangroves are systematically being destroyed to reclaim land and thereafter construct slums thereon by the land mafia. The government machinery is colluding with land mafia, which has destroyed large tracts of mangroves in this area. This large scale destruction of mangroves cannot be possible without the blessings of the local ward office, the collector’s office and the police.”

However, a BMC official denied the allegations and said there was no truth in them. The official, who did not want to be named, said protection of mangroves lies with the State Mangrove Cell.

According to the Watchdog Foundation officials, the revenue and forests department has prohibited felling and destruction of mangroves in the state. Irrespective of the ownership of the mangroves land all construction activity within the radius of 50 metres around the mangroves has been stopped. In addition to this the government has not granted permission to any authority for the development on the land. The high court has also prohibited felling of mangroves for any development-related activities.