The mangrove ecosystems in the Diva-Mumbra region, located along the estuarial banks of the Ulhas River, are being subjected to severe degradation due to escalating land misuse and unregulated development. These ecologically critical green belts—once dense with species such White Mangrove and Mangrove Apple —are being destroyed at an alarming pace.
It has been observed by environmentalists that these mangroves support a complex web of biodiversity, including birds, fish, molluscs, and reptiles. The destruction of this ecosystem is expected to trigger cascading effects on the food chain and could lead to significant biodiversity loss. Mangroves also function as natural barriers against coastal erosion, tidal surges, and flooding, and their disappearance is likely to intensify the impact of natural disasters in the region.
The forests, which exist only in intertidal zones, have been found to be extremely sensitive to disruption. Once uprooted, their regrowth is nearly impossible in artificial settings, rendering conservation in their native habitat non-negotiable. Nonetheless, large portions of the Diva-Mumbra mangrove zone are being replaced by illegally dumped debris and unauthorized constructions. These reclaimed lands are reportedly being exploited by unscrupulous developers who construct low-cost housing on them. These homes are often sold to families from economically weaker sections. However, once the rains arrive, severe flooding is witnessed due to the loss of natural drainage systems previously provided by the mangroves. In a recurring pattern, such structures are eventually declared illegal by municipal authorities, leading to eviction and displacement of residents.
A failure in regulatory enforcement has been cited as a major contributor to the problem. Though coastal regulation zone (CRZ) norms exist, they are often enforced only after significant ecological damage has been done. Government intervention, in most cases, has been reactive rather than preventive. Experts have proposed several urgent measures to curb further degradation. These include stricter enforcement of CRZ rules, the use of satellite monitoring for real-time surveillance, and the empowerment of citizen groups for community-level reporting. Legal action against both builders and officials complicit in environmental violations has also been recommended.
It has been reiterated by conservationists that the protection of Diva-Mumbra’s mangroves is not just an environmental responsibility—it is a social and ethical obligation. The resilience of ecosystems, the safety of human settlements, and the rights of future generations hinge on the decisions taken today.
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