These residents under Save Andheri Versova Environment (SAVE) Forum filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in 2002 and got a stretch of mangroves in survey number 161 parallel to Juhu-Versova Link Road declared as a protected forest.
Residents of Versova along with the Maharashtra Forest Departments Mangrove Cell not only planted mangrove saplings on Tuesday noon along the Versova creek but also demanded a mangrove park be created for residents to create awareness about mangroves in the area and also ensure future protection.
These residents under Save Andheri Versova Environment (SAVE) Forum filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in 2002 and got a stretch of mangroves in survey number 161 parallel to Juhu-Versova Link Road declared as a protected forest.
Rajesh Vora, secretary of SAVE Forum, said, "A lot of work still remains to be done despite the order that the land is yet to be transferred, but at least chain link fences have been put up and we thought we need to again start generating interest amongst locals and speak to mangrove cells and they are keen for a plantation drive. "In fact, Vora added that around 80 school students were involved with local residents, who planted trees on the sandy beach area of Versova creek that has a good mangrove cover.
Sharvari Kher, a local resident, as well as member of SAVE added that we have demanded that this mangrove be made accessible to local people and be converted into a mangrove park, which is our final goal. "We managed to save these mangroves after a hard fought battle but how would locals know what is the use of these mangroves to Versova. It will only be when they can walk around it and see for themselves and also informative boards can be placed all around so that information can be gained," said Kher, adding that they have already discussed the plan with head of Mangrove cell N Vasudevan, who was present during the sapling plantation and he has shown his agreement.
Locals planted more than 100 saplings of mangroves on Tuesday, but officials from Mangrove cell said that they have brought around 1,000 saplings that would be planted in the existing dense mangroves existing in the area.
"We planted three species of mangroves and during my walk in the mangroves, congratulated the locals as they showed what a community can do if they decide to join hands and its a big achievement saving this huge tract of dense mangrove vegetation," said Vasudevan.
He added that he would be speaking to BMC officials to work on a way to remove mounds of plastic that has entered during high tide with sea water and now stuck in mangroves. "Locals have demanded that this place be developed as a mangrove park and have assured them that he would look into this issue and see if we can install boardwalks—which are raised platforms made of wood in between the mangroves so that more people can visit it and understand the significance of mangroves in Mumbai," he said.
Vasudevan also addressed school students discussing various types of mangroves as well as various life forms including fishes and crabs it supports. The locals along with SAVE forum are planning a series of clean up as well as awareness drive on mangroves.
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