The Raigad administration is slated to undertake a survey to demarcate whether the Panje area in Uran is a wetland or not after repeated efforts by the local environmentalists.
According to a report in Hindustan Times, on Monday, November 2, the state wetland and mangrove grievance redressal committee appointed by the Bombay High Court directed the collector of Raigad to submit a proposal to the state environment department in order to declare Panje as a wetland.
Panje happens to be a destination for thousands of migratory birds. Moreover, apart from being a source of revenue for the local fishing community, the ecologically sensitive area is visited by countless ornithologists and bird watchers. However, the City Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (CIDCO) and Navi Mumbai Special Economic Zone (NMSEZ) aims to build an integrated township at Panje and other areas in Dronagiri, Uran.
As per reports, environmentalists from Shri Ekvira Aai Pratishthan and NatConnect Foundation had earlier filed a fresh complaint that Panje had turned dry. This move comes after repeated complaints of debris dumping, mangrove destruction and cutting off high-tide water to dry the area. Moreover, according to sources, environment groups have also been petitioning state Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray to declare the area of Panje as a bird sanctuary.
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