In a bid to protect the ecologically rich mangrove forests from destruction, the Mangroves Cell of the forest department has started a drive to demolish structures that were illegally built on mangroves land at Kopri near Thane. On Friday, six such houses were razed under heavy police protection.

Virendra Tiwari, additional principal chief conservator of forests and head of Mangrove Cell, told mid-day, “Our team has started a demolition drive against the houses that were constructed by destroying mangroves. On Friday, a total of six structures were demolished at Kopri, Thane, and more structures will be taken down in the coming days.”