18th Sep., 2018


Mangrove protection in Maharashtra got a boost on Monday as the Bombay high court (HC) said all mangroves in the state are to be declared as protected or reserved forests, including those on land belonging to planning authorities like the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) and Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA).

According to Monday’s judgment, mangroves across the state must be mapped every six months using satellites and all mangroves in Maharashtra will be identified as coastal regulation zone-I, including the 50-metre buffer zone for areas with more than 1,000 sq metres of mangroves. Destruction of mangroves and dumping of debris remains prohibited in these areas.

If mangroves are cut or destroyed, the state government must take action under section 15 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. Restoration activities have to be carried out immediately after action has been taken.

The court was hearing petitions filed to curb the destruction of mangroves. One of them was filed in 2004 by Debi Goenka, executive trustee of Conservation Action Trust, then known as Bombay Environment Action Group.

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