SC lifeline for Dahisar mangroves

IN a landmark decision that would provide a new life to over 430 acres of mangroves in Dahisar, the Supreme Court on Monday issued a contempt notice against the builder who had built bunds to stop the flow of seawater into the mangrove land. The builder has been ordered to open the bunds in the next seven days.

Expressing their satisfaction, members of the New Link Road Residents Forum ( NLRRF) and other city environmentalists said justice had finally been delivered. " We had full faith in the judiciary and finally justice has been done and now we would be able to save the Dahisar mangroves which are one of the few green patches left in the city" said Harish Pandey, member of NLLRF.

When the case came up for hearing, the counsel for the developer Ravi Group said they can give an undertaking that there will be no activity on Survey number 344 (mangrove land) till the suit in the Bombay High Court challenging the CRZ notification for the area is disposed of. The developer had earlier challenged the CRZ notification for this area in the Bombay High Court.

The builder had begun dumping debris on the mangrove patch inside the mangrove area. The apex court has also been ordered to clear up the debris in the next two months. Jayesh Shah from Ravi group however was not available for comment on the issue.

Principal Judge ML Tahiliyani had visited the site twice in December 2010 and had submitted his report to the Supreme Court. His report stated " A bund has been erected, which led to the stoppage of free flow of water to the mangroves. The stagnation of water has submerged the roots of the mangroves, leading to their destruction."