After the ceaseless efforts of environmentalists, a small victory for them is finally here. NatConnect Foundation, which is an environmental protection organisation based in Navi Mumbai has finally received a response from the Prime Minister’s Office. CIDCO will have to hand over more than 40 lakh mangroves to the Forest Department so that they may be conserved and protected. Here are all the details you need to know about this particular piece of news.
CIDCO To Hand Over 40 Lakh Mangroves To Forest Department
According to an article recently published mid-day, the NatConnect Foundation wrote a letter to the PMO that informed them of the delay of four years in transferring the mangroves to the forest department. This is a violation of the Bombay High Court order.
The letter was written in the month of July of last year. Given PM Narendra Modi’s love for mangroves, it also highlighted how the destruction of the sea plants has caused coastal erosions. However, the issue was referred to the state government.
After a year of ongoing efforts, the City and Development Industrial Corporation or CIDCO have been directed to hand over the 1,200 hectares of mangroves to the forest department before the 30th of October, so that it may be taken care of and protected.
Delay Caused Unchecked Destruction
The article also stated the director of NatConnect B N Kumar pointed out that the delay in this transfer has caused damage to the mangroves in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region or MMR and Uran.
The article also states that the letter alleges that Navi Mumbai SEZ Private Limited, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, and CIDCO have been destroying the mangroves in the name of infrastructural development.
As per S V Rama Rao, who is the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, the other departments, too, have been ordered to complete the transfer at the soonest. He also said that the environment department is being asked to look into the matter of soil erosion.
Do you think the government officials should have responded to the complaints earlier? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover Image Credits: Canva Images (Representational)