Residents who have been agitating to protect the Lokhandwala Lake have raised objections to the proposed beautification project. They believe these works will do more harm than good for the lake.
“Attempts are being made to destroy vegetation, concretise parts of it and there are plans to introduce boating too,” environmentalist Sumesh Lekhi said on Facebook. He appealed to the representatives in the region to join forces with the residents to protect the lake while adding that the lake comes under protected forest territory.
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“Citizens have collectively, with the Forest Department, BMC, MHADA and all the authorities, have worked very hard in protecting this biodiversity gem, which is home to many migratory birds. It also includes species of reptiles, insects, and some mammals, all of whom are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and Environment Protection Act, 1986, and also CRZ, Wetland Rules and many others,” the social media post went on to say.
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A resident from Lokhandwala, Dhaval Shah said that they only ask that the authorities acquire all the required permissions before conducting any works in the region while also ensuring that no harm comes to the lake.
“Yesterday, one of the birding groups from Lokhandwala came to know about the construction of steps being carried out near the lake, and so, they went there and stopped the work,” Shah said.
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