Environmental activists are taking legal action against the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO). The reason behind it is CIDCO's consistent neglect of the city's wetlands and mangroves.
The mangroves around T.S. Chanakaya Lake in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, have suffered repeated damage. Activists have been working since December last year to keep the lake free from encroachments. Their efforts began after they found mangroves intentionally harmed.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the High Court on January 3. The PIL contains several incidents of damage around the wetlands and holds CIDCO's main reason for the damage.
The petition demands that the state government issue public notices discouraging investment in projects located in CRZs. It also requires a halt to any construction within 100 metres of hazard lines and the High Tide Line (HTL).
The petition further requests that the HC stop the development of nine nearby skyscrapers and install permanent fencing around the lake and other natural water bodies. Activists also demand that CIDCO take action against officials and relinquish control of these areas to the forest department.
Activists claim that CIDCO's decision to build nine residential towers and a golf course on five properties within Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ) started the destruction of the wetlands. Despite the jurisdiction of NMMC over planning, CIDCO is operating by itself.
Before filing the PIL, Purohit tried to get CIDCO to take action. She filed a case at the Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority. The PIL hopes to make government representatives provide records outlining the steps taken to preserve the wetland.
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