Land allotted for sports facility encroached upon

THANE: Illegal slums have been mushrooming along Kalwa creek, causing destruction of mangroves in the area. But the TMC authorities have taken no action against the encroachers. Even though the TMC has failed to prepare an action plan to demolish all the illegal structures, the district revenue department is planning to rope in all concerned agencies to clear the space that has been allotted to the district sport’s department to start a sports facility.
In fact, Kalwa creek has over the years been reduced into a nullah due to illegal encroachment. Activists claim that political backing and involvement of civic officials is the reason for the blatant destruction of green cover and construction of illegal hutments.
When contacted, head of state mangrove cell and chief conservator of forest N Vasudevan said, ‘‘This corridor is still under the control of the revenue wing and is yet to be transferred to the forest and mangrove cell. Our jurisdiction is restricted to Navi Mumbai coastline. But we will make it a point to preserve the dense green patch.’’
Both, Saket side as well as Kharegaon side of the creek has been encroached upon. This poses a threat to marine life. ‘‘In the next few years, we will hardly find the creek in its existing shape. It will become extinct if the if slums continue to crop up like this. Mangroves have been cut down but the revenue department and the TMC has failed to check this,’’ said Sanjay Katkar, a resident.
Corporators have raised their concern over such developments and have put the onus on the civic administration. ‘‘This is a serious matter and strict action must be taken soon,’’ said local corporator Najib Mulla.
Thane tehsildar Vikas Patil told , “We had taken action against the slum dwellers before. The district sports department has been instructed to construct a fence and a wall around the ground. I will also write to the TMC and sports wing for a combined effort to make the place encroachers free.”