Activists seek action against Navi Mumbai mayor

Mumbai: The complainant, who had brought to the fore the incident of the Navi Mumbai mayor and others entering restricted mangrove areas to perform rituals for Mahashivratri, has written to chief conservator of forest (CCF) in Nagpur, seeking immediate action.

After reports of the Navi Mumbai mayor Sudhakar Sonawane entering in a restricted area for performing rituals emerged, the mangrove department has started investigating the matter.

The activists claimed that such movements are a routine, and despite them taking up the issue with the concerned officials, no action has been taken. A temple is located near the mangroves in Palm Beach Road in Nerul Sector 4.

Pawan Sharma, one of the complainants on Saturday wrote a letter to the Chief Conservator of Forest, pointing out that illegal structures have been constructed near a mangrove habitat.

The letter also stated that huge patches of mangroves are cleared for a government project, and there is no clarity on it. The letter urged the state government to put details of the project in the public domain.

Mr Sharma said, “This site serves as a habitat for several migratory and resident birds including the flamingos, reptiles and wild animals. These birds and wildlife creatures are disturbed and distressed due to such activities.”

Shakuntala Majumdar, President of Thane Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), who is also one of the complainants, said that according to locals, people frequently enter the restricted mangroves land.    

Mr N Vasudevan, chief conservator of forest of Mangrove Cell said, “We received the complaint and have taken a note of it. There are strict rules and regulations against people destroying the mangroves. There are no rules about entering the restricted area. We are, however, working on making stringent rules to prevent people from entering the mangroves area.” Sudhakar Sonawane, mayor of Navi Mumbai, was not available for comment.