The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has put a halt to the leasing of a 25,000-square-meter site in Navi Mumbai by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO).
The site is located near the NRI Colony at Seawoods in Nerul. It is under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) restrictions. Earlier, it was up for auction, which was controversial due to its ecological significance.
Local activists and residents have been fighting against the auction, leading to CIDCO being asked to suspend it.
Two applications were submitted by the Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society (NMEPS). Additionally, six other city residents urged CIDCO to suspend the auction.
According to petitions filed by attorneys Zaman Ali and Meennaz Kakalia, a significant portion of the land falls within CRZ 1 and CRZ 2 zones where construction is either prohibited or heavily restricted.
A section of the land outside the CRZ could potentially be used for a park and social amenities. This was proposed in the 2020 Development Plan (DP) of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).
The land is also home to wetlands frequented by hundreds of greater flamingos, a species protected under Schedule I. Any development on this land could significantly affect these migratory birds.
Part of the land lies within a mangrove buffer zone, adding to its ecological importance.
After hearing from all parties involved, the NGT bench decided that construction should only be allowed in non-CRZ zones.
While CIDCO has refrained from commenting until they receive the NGT order, the NatConnect Foundation has praised the decision as a significant development.
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