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Mumbai: Save mangroves with special staff, activists tell BMC

Activists want the BMC to dedicate special saff to save the belts of mangroves in the city.

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Activists fighting to save pristine belts of mangroves across Mumbai wants BMC to deploy dedicated staff for mangroves — a move they feel will not only add more teeth but also go a long way for better protection as well as management of the mangroves and wetlands in the city.

"We have written to the municipal commissioner that there is an urgent need of dedicated officials to be appointed zone-wise in the wards with mangrove cover, who will attend to cases of environment violations as Mumbai is constantly witnessing rapid destruction of wetlands and mangroves. It is always observed that the initial corrective steps from BMC is delayed due to lack of trained manpower or dedicated staff to tackle environmental violations," said Harish Pandey, activist and president of New Link Road Residents Forum (NLRRF) that has been successful in saving several stretches of mangroves in the Dahisar and Borivli regions.

Former mayor and councillor Shubha Raul, who is involved in raising the issue of mangrove land being reclaimed by dumping debris, supported the demand. "What is the harm if BMC also cracks a whip on those found destroying mangroves? In fact, Chennai has set up a full-fledged team dedicated to protect mangroves. So, why can't BMC have one," she questioned.

A senior BMC official said: "It's not that BMC can't do much as on several occasions BMC demolished encroachments and booked the trucks dumping debris on wetlands. It should ideally be the responsibility of the environment department at every ward level but they are only given responsibilities to manage garbage in the wards."
 

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