Public outcry against the destruction of mangroves within the buffer zone in Nerul has forced government agencies to act, with the Thane tehsildar seeking counsel to lodge FIR against CIDCO, which owns the land.

The incident of wanton destruction of mangroves near Nerul jetty in sector 52A of the node had come to light recently. Save Navi Mumbai Environment group registered a complaint on Mangrove Suraksha App and even met the authorities in this regard. Acting on the complaint, the machines were seized and a fine imposed by NMMC.

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.

On March 12, a joint inspection was conducted by CIDCO, NMMC, the revenue department. Revenue official Nilesh Kamble later submitted an inspection report to the Tehsildar of Thane.

According to the report the Plot No:3 in sector 52A was allotted to M/s Today Royal Developers for the construction of building for residential and commercial purposes. The said plot was allotted at the rate of Rs3,06,000 per square metre, totalling to Rs200 crore, including GST.

The builder received the allotment letter on March 5 and had only tendered the earnest money deposit of Rs5 crore. Even though the entire amount of Rs172 crore plus GST was to be paid, the builder immediately deployed earthmover machines to clear the land and illegally cut down the mangroves.

On March 13, the tehsildar has 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 question raised by the environment activists and members of Save Navi Mumbai Environment group that how a land which is earmarked as water body in the Draft Development plan of CIDCO could be allotted to a builder for residential purposes?

“As per the Draft Development Plan published by NMMC in August 2022, the draft shows Sector 52A as a water body and no development was planned in this area. The residential and commercial development was proposed in sector 52A in the changes proposed by NMMC,” Sunil Agarwal, founder, Save Navi Mumbai Environment said.

“The changes are still to be approved by the state government but CIDCO went ahead and auctioned three plots in Sector 52A. The same area is to be preserved as conservation reserve as per recommendation of the special committee appointed to look into the death of flamingos in the DPS lake area,” he said.

Environmental activists have asked for cancellation of the allotment of plots in sector 52 A by CIDCO in view of destruction of mangroves.