Environmentalist Rohit Joshi flags alleged debris dumping at wetlands in Thane’s Rabodi, all for a helipad
The activist has submitted geo tagged photos for better documentation of the issue
A fresh environmental controversy has erupted in Thane after Rohit Joshi, environmentalist, and member of the Wetland Grievance Redressal Committee, lodged a complaint alleging destruction of mangroves and reclamation of land near the helipad at Rabodi- Thane west. The plot in question is located adjacent to the police ground.
Who has received the complaint?
Joshi has taken the fight to the authorities and complained about the environmental loot to the Principal Secretary – Environment Department of Maharashtra, Mangrove Cell of the Forest Department, Collector of Thane, Thane police commissioner, Municipal Commissioner – Thane and other government departments.
The patch of wet land that has been filled up with debris. Pic/Special Arrangement
Joshi is no stranger to showdowns between citizens and powers, and has been fighting to save the forest and mangroves in Thane for more than a decade. In his complaint to the authorities, he has alleged that debris is being dumped on these wetlands with the intention of carving out a road. After Joshi’s complaints, the forest department and revenue department both conducted a joint panchanama at the site.
“The land where the illegal dumping is taking place comes under the jurisdiction of the Thane police commissioner. The authorities have violated Sections 15 and 19 of the Environment Protection Act,” said Joshi. As locals gathered there when dumping was underway, Joshi said one of the most atrocious justifications was offered by the police. “The officials told us that this debris dumping was in lieu of a ‘mass Miyawaki plantation drive’ after locals raised objections,” he added.
This has happened before
In his complaint, Joshi said that this is not the first time the area has seen violations. “A similar CRZ offense was recorded on April 9, 2018, raising concerns that agencies responsible for enforcing environmental laws are instead enabling ecological damage,” said Joshi. Joshi told Sunday mid-day that there is a long-pending Bombay High Court order directing that all government-owned mangrove lands be transferred to the Forest Department but he says that the same remains unimplemented in Thane.
According to the environmentalist, the delay has emboldened many to repeat such violations and weak enforcement until a decision is made. “I have also submitted geo-tagged photos, videos, satellite imagery, CRZ maps, and documents related to the earlier 2018 EPA case.
The work should be stopped and an inquiry into the role of police officials, restoration of the damaged area, and strict legal action against those responsible should be done. For better protection, the administration should expedite the transfer of mangrove land to the Forest Department,” he added. Despite attempts to reach out to TMC and Thane police, officials remained unavailable for comment.
‘Miyawaki is a eyewash’
Environmentalist Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti said,”The Thane police have illegally dumped debris in a CRZ area to facilitate the construction of a road leading to a helipad, and are now claiming it was done for miyawaki plantation. This is a clear violation of CRZ regulations. We have lodged complaints with the concerned authorities, yet no action has been taken so far. The police are making an additional road by reclaiming the creekside by dumping mud on mangroves and coastal intertidal area.”
Mangrove cover in India
As per recent Indian State of Forest report (ISFR) 2023, India has a total mangrove cover of 4,991.68 square km; which is 0.15 per cent of the country’s total geographical area. There has been a net increase of 363.68 square km (7.86 per cent) in mangrove cover area of the country in 2023 as compared to 2013 and net increase of 509.68 square km (11.4 per cent) between 2001 and 2023.
Species of mangroves found in India
Important species of mangrove ecosystem in India include Avicennia alba, Bruguiera cylindrica, Heritiera littoralis, Phoenix paludosa, morinda citrifolia and ceriops tagal. Sundarbans, located in the northern Bay of Bengal, is the world’s largest single patch of mangrove forest. It is spread over approximately 10,000 square kilometres in Bangladesh and India.
Thane Mangrove cover
As per 2023 ISFR report, the mangrove cover in Thane was 48.93 square km which, if compared to the 2021 report, is a decrease by 0.93 square km.
Did you know?
Sundarbans is the first mangrove forest in the world which was brought under scientific management as early as 1892.
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