HC orders action against Essel World for causing harm to mangroves

The court also asked Maharashtra Pollution Control Board to be made one of the respondents in this petition and asked the state to inform by the next hearing whether they will be permanently accepting the Centre’s wetland atlas or will work on one for the state.

“I observed merciless and rampant cutting of mangroves further dumping of earth and mud over mangroves that have been cut and laying of grass carpets to convert it into lawn or a garden at the site (at Gorai),” Pandey’s affidavit stated.

Through the affidavit, the petitioner also informed the court that he had filed a complaint at the office of the police commissioner and tehsildar after visiting the site. “Despite filing these complaints, no action has been taken and the destruction continues,” it stated.

The petitioner further alleged that illegal construction of road by dumping of rocks, stones and concrete grave, and levelling with JCB and road roller is on at the site.

The Newsline had in January reported that the Gorai police had sent a report to the forest department and collector on the destruction of mangroves on land owned by the Essel Group in Gorai after detaining two persons caught levelling and filling mangrove areas using JCB machines in the area. Previously, the mangrove cell had found Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations which involved blocking of seven to eight culverts that allow inter-tidal water to reach the mangrove at the private mangrove areas owned by Essel Group and removed their blockages.

Meanwhile, Essel World denied knowledge of the court order. “There is no case going on so we are not aware of any order,” said Nilay Vaidya, associate vice president, public relations, Essel World.

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com