A day after mid-day highlighted how rampant debris dumping had wiped out 1.5 acres of mangroves in Malad in just three days, the authorities took swift action and put an end to the illegal activity, arresting one person for his alleged involvement in the crime.

“On the same day the story appeared in the newspaper, the Forest Department officials were immediately sent to the spot where the dumping was taking place. That area is in the jurisdiction of the collector; our officials informed the collector’s office and an FIR was lodged with the police,” said Forest Secretary Vikas Kharge, who was asked to look into the matter by Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar after assuring mid-day immediate action would be taken.