Navi Mumbai: In a new development, a fresh First Information Report (FIR) was registered by the Belapur Circle Officer on September 17, 2024, regarding the cutting of mangroves behind the T.S. Chanakya Maritime Institute. This action comes six months after the incident occurred in March 2024, raising concerns among environmentally conscious citizens who are now demanding swift action to protect the remaining mangrove trees.

Environmental activists Sunil Agarwal and Advocate Pradeep Patole brought the cutting of 150 mangroves in the area to light back in March 2024, filing complaints through the Mangrove Suraksha App. The issue was initially reported by Newsband, and the activists received a prompt acknowledgement from the app. On April 29, 2024, a group of officers surveyed the area based on these complaints. “Since the sites are under the ownership rights of CIDCO, action should be taken through CIDCO first,” stated Advocate Patole, revealing the findings from the site inspection.

Four months have passed since that inspection, and this latest FIR is the second one lodged regarding the mangrove cutting in this area. "More than 150 mangrove trees have been cut, and an FIR was filed against an unknown person, despite Mistry Construction Company being the primary beneficiary of these incidents," said Sunil Agarwal, founder of the Save Navi Mumbai Environment Group. He, along with other activists, demands immediate action from the Revenue Department, urging CIDCO to take the necessary steps to safeguard the remaining mangroves.