The mangroves on the periphery of Oshiwara and Lokhandwala in Andheri have for a long time been a source of green comfort and serenity for the residents. However, people have been noticing a thick cloud of smoke - a sign of garbage being burnt - emerging from deep in the green patch at increasing frequency.

This issue has been a cause for concern for over a decade. According to the Lokhandwala-Oshiwara Residents Association (LOCA), all of last week, garbage burning was spotted at various places. Sanjay Prashar, senior member, LOCA, clicked a picture of a fire last week behind Bhagat Singh Nagar No 2, adjoining the Oshiwara nullah. "This is a systematic burning of garbage which goes wild at times and burns down the mangrove patch and shrubs and trees," he said. "The burning of garbage has been taking place almost every alternate day, thereby releasing toxic smoke and burnt particles, which are even more dangerous amid COVID-19."