Advertisement

Forest Dept to Hand Over Patches of Mangrove Forests For BKC and Dharavi Metro Stations


Forest Dept to Hand Over Patches of Mangrove Forests For BKC and Dharavi Metro Stations
SHARES

A recent directive by the Maharashtra Government said that two patches of mangrove forests at Dharavi and Bandra-Kurla Complex will be handed over to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) for the construction of BKC and Dharavi stations on Metro line 3 (Colaba-Seepz). 

Officials from the Forest Department have now confirmed the transfer of the land while adding that the handover will be completed by the mangrove cell shortly.

Also readSupreme Court Stays Axing Of Mangroves For Bridge Construction In Andheri

State 1 and Stage 2 clearances under the Forest Conservation Act (1980) were already granted by the regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2017 and 2019 respectively. 

An order issued by the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Mangrove Cell, Virendra Tiwari said that the only part that remains now is for the land to be transferred to the MMRCL. 

“The land will be transferred shortly by the DFO, MMCU. All other clearances, including CRZ and permission from the High Court for diversion of mangroves, are in order,” Tiwari added.

ReadActivists Allege Intentional Destruction Of Mangroves Across Maharashtra

As per the National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines, the agency shall issue a public notice about such land transfers so that citizens or interest groups can raise objections (if any) directly to the NGT. With this in mind, the MMRCL issued a notice on April 8 with the copies of Stage 1 and 2 clearances attached. These can also be found on its official website. 

As per official estimates, nearly 1,000 mangrove trees will be felled for the construction of both stations. To compensate for this, the MMRCL has sent the forest department an in-situ mangrove conservation plan. Additionally, the MMRCL has been asked to plant 5,000 mangrove trees at a different site. 

Also readMaharashtra Government To Take Action Against People Axing Mangrove Forests

RELATED TOPICS
Advertisement
MumbaiLive would like to send you latest news updates