MUMBAI: LAND GRAB ON WADALA SALT PANS CAUSES ALARM AMONG CITIZENS

MUMBAI: How the erosion in Mumbai's green cover takes place can be seen first-hand at the entry and exit points of the Eastern Freeway at Wadala, where a saltwater lake is being illegally reclaimed through debris dumping. The nearby mangroves, which is a CRZ-1 area, are also being destroyed by the land mafia.

City-based environmentalist D Stalin, who is a member of the Bombay high court-appointed wetlands protection committee, said he has complained to various state authorities, besides the forest department, about the "complete breakdown of law and order" in the Wadala area where the waterbody and mangroves are being destroyed.

"Due to its proximity to the Freeway, the realty land value of this Wadala site has gone up, which is why the water body area, which is equivalent to 1.5 times a football field (around 1.76 acres), is being reclaimed through debris dumping. This entire saltwater lake can vanish if the reclamation is not stopped. Encroachment is also happening on the mangroves on the other side of the Freeway," said Stalin, adding that he will move court if the state does not act on his complaint.

"At the mangrove reclamation site, adjoining the excise office's boundary wall, a BMC work container has been put, which gives the impression that some municipal work is taking place. However, it is illegal. A truck parking area has also come up on the reclaimed portion of the waterbody. Enough is enough, action must be taken by the govt."

When TOI contacted the additional principal chief conservator of forests (mangrove cell), S V Ramarao, he said: "I will look into the complaint about this Wadala region. We do understand that due to the Freeway, there are attempts to do land grabbing; I will inquire."

Local Wadala residents are also aware of this issue. A resident of Bhakti Park and former railway officer, K K Kamble,said: "We are daily noticing the eco destruction taking place. The mangroves near the Freeway are natural sponges which clean marine pollution and help biodiversity."

A resident of the nearby Ajmera Tower also aired a similar view and said many locals are disturbed by the damage done to the waterbody and the mangroves.

Stalin said: "Besides these two sites, on the Mahul-Sewri road a little distance away, dumping of debris, illegal constructions, and encroachments has been going on in intertidal water, salt lands."