Mangroves wait for 100 guards

Mumbai: To protect the city's mangrove cover, the state mangrove cell (SMC) is trying to expedite the deployment of more guards from the State Security Corporation. Around 100 security guards are required at the mangrove patches of Mumbai and suburban districts.

The move comes in the backdrop of delay in constructing a wall to protect mangroves. The SMC is awaiting clearance from the state environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA) for the wall.

As of now, 20 guards from the mangrove cell are deployed to check encroachments on mangroves. “Due to shortage of staff in the mangrove cell, we had approached the state security corporation and Mumbai Police for more guards. We need around 100 security guards for vigilance across the city's mangroves,” said Makarand Ghodke, assistant conservator of forests, SMC.

 The mangrove body has received 299 complaints related to encroachment and destruction in 2017 compared to 244 in 2016.

The mangrove cell is also going to deploy volunteers, 10 cleaning workers at eight mangrove locations to remove garbage and accumulated debris. “The cleaning will be carried out in two phases to see how effective it is. We will develop a plan,” said N. Vasudevan, chief conservator of forests, SMC.

The eight locations under the cleaning programme are at Dahisar, Borivali, Versova-Juhu, Bandra, Sewri, Bhandup, Airoli and Turbhe. Funds from the mangrove cell foundation will be used for the same.

The mangrove cell has been conducting regular cleanliness drives since 2016. More than 1 lakh tonne of garbage was recovered, only 1 per cent of the waste has been removed, claimed N Vasudevan.  “The garbage comes from the sea through tidal actions and gets accumulated in the mangroves. Most of it is plastic. As such, we need more regular cleaning in the areas,” added Mr Vasudevan.

Safeguarding green covers

• 3809 illegal structures demolished in 2016-2017 at Charkop , Colaba, Mandale in Mankhurd, Chheda Nagar in Chembur and Malad.
• 299 complaints of mangrove destruction and encroachment received in 2017.
• Mangrove Cell has redressed 148 complaints till now this year.