Activists blame projects for coastal erosion

As satellite images of Dadar, Girgaum, Juhu and Mahim beaches have captured erosion of the shoreline, environmentalists are raising concerns over the effects of upcoming civic projects.

Land reclamation for the Coastal Road, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial in Arabian Sea and 300-acre Central Park at Colaba are said to be the cause of heavy erosion in the coming years. Moreover, satellite imagery also shows the destruction of Mangrove patches, which is proving to be another worrying factor.

A major development is noticed in the shoreline of Dadar Chowpatty after the construction of 5.6-km Bandra-Worli Sealink began in 2000. The two satellite images, taken over 16 years, point out how the shoreline is moving closer towards the land. “The Chaityabhoomi wall that used to be rebuilt every five years is now reconstructed every year. Earlier, in the late ’70s as a child I remember having walked during the low tide on Dadar beach, which had an entire sand belt. There is no place left now even to walk on the beach any more,” said Godfrey Pimenta, from Watchdog Foundation who recently wrote to the chief minister on the issue.

Apparently, land reclamation and construction of the Bandra-Worli Sealink has also been a contributing factor to the level of seawater in the area. “The sea water which used to enter Mahim Creek is now diverted towards the Mahim-Worli and Juhu-Versova coastal belt. It is contributing to erosion along the beaches,” added Mr Pimenta.

Stalin D, from Vanashakti, said that the root of the issue was the civic authorities’ lack of scientific understanding before planning and approving projects. “Even as there are strict guidelines set by the NGT to protect the high tide line of the shores, various projects are being approved without a scientific study of the effects of the project. Where a city like Florida is earning $5 million through its beach tourism, we are even failing to protect our beaches,” said Mr Stalin. He added that the there is a necessity for people to wake up and raise the issues rather than focusing on the reclamation and beautification part of the projects.

In 2015, MCGM, in its circular, stated that tidal waves higher than 4.5 metres were expected to hit the Mumbai coast. In fact, tidal waves measuring 4.38 metres had lashed the shores, which submerged several parts of the city. The waves had spilled into low-lying areas like Worli, Shivaji Park, Versova, Mahim and several parts of South Mumbai, which are close to the shorelines that have reported the loss of Mangrove patches.