In a recent development aimed at bolstering environmental conservation efforts, the Maharashtra State Mangrove Protection Authority (MSMPA) convened on August 10th and issued a resolute directive to the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). Hindustan Times reported that the directive stipulated the unconditional transfer of CIDCO's remaining mangrove holdings to the forest department (FD) within the upcoming two to three months. This move underscores the commitment to safeguarding these vital ecosystems.
Mangrove Extent and Transfer Status
The targeted mangrove area spans an expansive 1,300 hectares, equivalent to an area roughly the size of 144 Oval Maidans. Notably, a prior transfer of approximately 1,737 hectares from CIDCO to the FD had already taken place. However, around 658 hectares earmarked for transfer have been pending, subject to the directives of the Bombay High Court in 2006 and 2018.
Outcomes of the August 10th Session
While awaiting the comprehensive minutes of the August 10th MSMPA session, S V Ramarao, the additional principal chief conservator of forests (mangrove cell), confirmed that discussions addressing the matter had transpired during the meeting. Notably, Mahesh Kalyankar, the Konkan divisional commissioner, issued explicit directives to CIDCO in line with the authority's commitment to the preservation of these vital ecosystems.
Timeline and Process of Transfer
Ramarao revealed, "Within the ensuing month, one of CIDCO's substantial land parcels containing mangroves will be transferred to the forest department. Following this, the process of securing ownership of the remaining land is anticipated to commence within a span of one to two months. Furthermore, encouragingly, the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) has reportedly consented to transferring an expansive 1,400 hectares to the forest department's possession in the imminent weeks."
Survey and Future Conservation Measures
In a significant stride towards comprehensive mangrove conservation, a meticulous survey is slated to be undertaken. This survey aims to identify and document all mangroves that remain untransferred by various government entities to the forest department. Notably, this survey is expected to encompass an estimated 4,000 hectares, primarily under the jurisdiction of CIDCO, VVMC, and the revenue department. To surmount financial and logistical hurdles faced by district collectors in conducting manual surveys within dense and remote mangrove swamplands, the employment of GPS-enabled drones is being explored.
Moreover, the survey's findings are projected to reconcile existing disparities within mangrove mapping, as established by the Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC). For instance, an alarming discrepancy has been identified in Mira-Bhayandar, where substantial expanses of dense mangrove cover were inadequately represented in the existing mapping.
Simultaneous Legal Efforts
Concurrently, alongside the endeavor to expand the forest department's jurisdiction over mangroves, the Maharashtra state government, through the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), is pursuing the overturning of the Bombay High Court's ruling that imposed a "total freeze" on mangrove destruction within the region. This effort is encapsulated within a Special Leave Petition documented as Diary No13791 of 2020, filed before the Supreme Court. This legal move seeks permission for construction within 50 meters of mangroves, particularly in buffer zones, with the initial ban on such construction having been implemented following a 2005 ruling by the Bombay Environment Action Group (BEAG).
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