Navi Mumbai residents up in arms over destruction of mangroves, trees in buffer zone, meet Minister Ganesh Naik

On Monday, residents and activists lodged a complaint with the Forest Department against the illegal tree cutting following which Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Deepak Khade and Range Forest Officer (RFO) Sudhir Manjare from the Mangrove Cell visited the site.

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) officials who reached the spot have seized the machinery used for deforestation.

Authorities confirmed that planning agency Cidco had auctioned three large plots in the sector under its Integrated Township Scheme (ITS), and allowed the developer to acquire land and chop mangroves. However, residents claimed that no approval was taken from the Bombay High Court, mandatory for any construction in a mangrove buffer zone. They argued that since the area is covered with dense forest and mangroves, it should have been transferred to the Forest Department for conservation instead of being sold for construction.

“The destruction and illegal razing have been carried over 15 kilometres. Reports from the forest department confirm that the destruction has not even spared the buffer zone of mangroves,” said advocate Siddh Vidya, a complainant.

Residents have sought an investigation into how such large-scale deforestation could take place without any official signage explaining the purpose of the activity or those responsible for it.

“The destruction of this forested area has been carried out without any application of mind. This land should be preserved, not developed. Most importantly, Cidco should hand over these sensitive zones to the forest department,” said Shruti Agarwal, who is also the co-founder of Save Navi Mumbai Environment Organisation.

They also submitted supporting evidence, including maps and photographs to the authorities, with demands to cancel the land auction and take legal action against those involved.

“The officials responsible should be suspended, and an FIR must be filed against those who carried out tree cutting without permission in a designated forest area. This destruction was allowed despite clear forest department boards marking the site,” Agarwal added.

Cidco officials, however, did not respond when contacted by The Indian Express.