Last week, on April 22, Fridays For Future (FFF) Mumbai an independent, autonomous and volunteer youth-led environmental group of citizens of Mumbai Metropolitan Region gathered at Aksa Beach, Malad, to express their concerns about the destruction of the environment.
In addition to this, they look to create awareness about the warnings being given by scientists about the necessity for serious action to solve the climate crisis.
The group said, "We oppose the concretization work happening at Aksa beach. Stones, concrete and other construction material are being dumped to construct a sea-wall and amenities such as volleyball court, food plaza and cobalt stone pathway."
The environment organization opines that the sand of the beach is a vital part of the ecosystem and acts as a barrier from extreme weather events.
The volunteer group added, "We were shocked to see that the concretization work was going on a large part of the beach and that it was continuing despite an order of The National Green Tribunal (NGT) to stop building hard structures including concrete sea-walls on sea-shores. We talked to the contractor present there. He did not have any permission letter. When showed the order of NGT he claimed that he did not know about it."
Considering this, a member of the FFF wrote a letter to Aslam Shaikh, state Minister of Fisheries and Ports Development. In the letter, they highlight that NGT has passed on an order to put a stay on construction of all hard structures on all beaches and shorelines across India.
The letter reads, "NGT order has also directed all Indian states with a shoreline to come up with more sustainable and natural solutions to prevent sand erosion on beaches. Hence, the ongoing construction activity of sea wall, cobalt stone pathway, food plaza at Aksa beach undertaken by Maharashtra Maritime Board is illegal as per NGT order".
Therefore they have requested that the construction at Aksa beach be stopped with immediate effect. For they believe that any further construction at Aksa beach will be a direct violation of the NGT order.
The letter elaborated, "We agree with the observations of NGT tribunal that building hard structures like concrete sea walls at beaches destroy natural sand formations, harms nesting area of marine animals and does irreparable damage to coastline and beaches and hence more natural and sustainable solutions are required to prevent sand erosion at beaches."
Also Read: Why Are Droves Of Fish Floating Dead In "This" Mumbai Pond?
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