The urgency of saving Mumbai's mangroves

Mili Shetty with the environmental activists in Charkop during the talk
The Charkop community got together with environmental activists to discuss about how the mangroves can be saved
Mumbai’s mangroves have always faced threats from various elements, especially builders, who see it as yet another opportunity to develop and earn money.

Mumbai’s mangroves have always faced threats from various elements, especially builders, who see it as yet another opportunity to develop and earn money. Saving this green belt has become paramount, and by any means it's not an easy task. As a result, local communities are getting together to fight the nuisance and spread awareness regarding it.

Why save mangroves?

One such meeting was recently conducted at Charkop by Charkop Sector 8 Vikas Samiti to inform people about mangroves and how they can save the ones around Sector 8. Dayanand Stalin, Project Director of Vanashakti; Harish Pande, Dahisar-based activist; Shariq Raza, Malad-based activist and Santosh Amberkar, Borivali-based activist spoke to the audience on this topic.

The activists pointed out how saving the mangroves was the need of the hour or else the next generation may not even get to see them in Mumbai. Charkop’s Sector 8 is surrounded by mangroves on all sides and are the last surviving green lung in this suburban neighbourhood.

A team effort

Pande explained the nuances of how to save the mangroves, the nitty-gritty of filing complaints/PIL for the same and how to go about meeting the authorities. An activist also mentioned that there are consequences in saving these mangroves. He shared, “People with vested interests in the mangroves’ land would try to deter your hope and efforts by threatening you and trying various pressure tactics.” He insisted on not getting discouraged and carrying on the fight till the land is safe. He also shared his success story of saving the Dahisar mangroves from the builders that were trying to destroy it.

What you can do:

Mangroves are necessary for Mumbai, as they protect the island city from soil erosion, cyclones and floods. It has also created a diverse biodiversity and helps in cleaning up the air by absorbing pollutants. Here’s what you can do:

If there are any form of anti-social elements that are trespassing in the mangrove land, you can contact the police.

If you notice any person or group trying to encroach the mangrove land, you can contact BMC’s local ward office and inform them. The ward, with the Collector’s permission, is supposed to take action against such encroachment.

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