 The MSI is looking for volunteers to save the mangroves Local environmentalists from Andheri have got together to set up the Mumbai chapter of the Mangrove Society of India.
Residents like Usha Kiran, Praveen Chaudhary and Rishi Agarwal have become the chairperson, secretary and treasurer respectively of this chapter. The setting up of this organisation is a major step towards continuing to fight to save the mangroves in the area.
So far, we have had people agitating in different areas of the city on an individual basis. We all wanted to come together to fight to save all the mangroves in the city, which is why we decided to set up this Mumbai chapter, says Kiran.
Incidentally, the MSI which was formed more than a decade back in Goa, had Mumbaikars like SP Godrej and Sanjay Deshmukh as its pioneers.
Kiran, who has been actively involved with the local environmental movement in Lokhandwala-Versova, adds that joining the MSI will help activists get the financial and official support they need. The MSI has the union minister for environment and forestry as its president, says Kiran. This helps us to have meetings with government officials and involve them in the effort to protect the mangroves. This also makes it easier to take care of the financial problems that we face.
The MSI has been formed by a merger of 15 groups working to better the environment, including the Lokhandwala Complex Environmental Action Group (LCEAG), Save Andheri-Versova Forum and the Bombay Environment Action Group. The group has the Times Foundation as its co-ordinator, who help in organising meetings with government officials.
Since the Mumbai chapter has just been formed, members have still not begun to hold regular meetings. They are also looking for volunteers to help them in saving the mangroves of the whole city. Those interested in working for the cause can contact Usha Kiran on 6348983. hepzi@mid-day.com
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