Responding to complaints lodged by Sunil Agarwal, Founder of the Save Navi Mumbai Environment group, and Advocate Pradeep Patole regarding issues at the TS Chanakya wetland, a joint team comprising officials from the civic authority and Forest Department conducted an inspection today afternoon on April 29th.

The inspection focused on various concerns, including the alleged cutting of mangroves, chemical infestation causing damage to mangroves, blockage of intertidal water at NRI wetland, and debris dumping in the mangrove belt. Led by Dinesh Paithankar, Thane Tahsildar, the team included Suresh Rokade, Belapur circle officer, Ishvar Jadhav, Belapur Talati, representatives from CIDCO and NMMC, as well as Mahendra Gite and Sandeep Rokade from the Forest Department, accompanied by local police.

Complaints regarding these issues were lodged on different occasions through the Mangrove Suraksha App with the Mangrove redressal Committee. The TS Chanakya wetland holds significance as part of the National Wetlands Atlas and is meant to be protected as per directives from the Konkan Commissioner dated February 12, 2024.

Concerns were raised by environmentalists who observed alleged interference with the intertidal flow to maintain high water levels, potentially deterring flamingos from the area. Additionally, unabated debris dumping and construction activities near the NRI wetland were highlighted as pressing issues.

Sunil Agarwal emphasized, "Unabated debris dumping is another issue which should be stopped and controlled with immediate effect."

Following the inspection, Mr. Paithankar instructed the Circle Officer to file an FIR against the landholder for destruction of mangroves. Agarwal and other complainants also called for the prompt transfer of mangrove oversight from CIDCO to the Mangrove Cell of the Forest Department.