Close to two weeks after the hacking of mangroves in buffer zone close to the Nerul jetty, the government agencies have failed to make a headway in the matter.

Despite clear instructions to file an FIR in the destruction of mangroves near sector 52A, Nerul Jetty, there has been no visible action due to a lack of cooperation from the NMMC and CIDCO, official sources said.
 

Thane Tahsildar Umesh Patil confirmed that instructions had been given to file a case, but the support of CIDCO, NMMC and the Forest Department has not been forthcoming. CIDCO and NMMC are yet to take any action, citing jurisdictional constraints.

“The land belongs to CIDCO, while NMMC has the mandate to stop tree cutting,” Patil informed.

On March 12, a joint inspection was conducted by CIDCO, the municipal corporation, and the revenue department. CIDCO was asked to provide details about the plot owner, name, and address, however, the nodal agency has not yet shared the necessary information, which has hampered further action.

When asked whether a case would be filed against CIDCO or whether sanction had been received for proceeding against the nodal agency, Thane Tahsildar declined to comment.

The incident of destruction of mangroves near Nerul jetty in sector 52A had come to light recently. On March 13, the tehsildar had written to the SDO, CIDCO, and NMMC recommending lodging of FIR against the developer and contractor. As the nodal agency continued to be in possession of the land, the tehsildar has also sought legal opinion for lodging of case against CIDCO under Section 15 and 19 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

The incident within the buffer zone in blatant violation of Bombay High Court directives had left citizens and environmental activists shocked and aghast. As the public outcry gathered momentum, the government agencies were forced to act.