Mumbai’s mangrove conservation: Environmentalists voice concerns against government apathy

Having undergone rapid urbanisation, Mumbai is attempting to salvage its shrunken green cover, especially its mangroves. While the first-of-its-kind mangrove park in Gorai was opened to the public last year, another upcoming park in Dahisar is slated for completion in mid-2024.

The 200-acre haven in Dahisar will reportedly blend environmental protection with sustainable tourism and will feature boardwalks, a nature interpretation centre, a suspended glass bridge and kayak trails.

The objective of creating this park is not limited to recreational purposes but for it to be a conservation beacon and educational centre to make the public aware of why it is crucial to conserve mangroves.

Why are mangroves significant?

The mangroves, nestled along the city's coastline, are lush green belts of gnarled trees that safeguard the shores. Mumbai-based environmentalist Zoru Bhathena, in a conversation with mid-day, highlighted that the mangroves are a natural barrier against coastal erosion.

"Mangrove is important for the area around us like any other tree, but particularly being in the coastal areas, it helps protect the coast. It is a better cleaner of the environment," Zoru remarked.

Also Read: Mumbai hawkers' stalled hope: BMC's Town Vending Committee quagmire

BN Kumar of Nat Connect said that aside from the protective function, Mumbai's mangroves are biodiversity hotspots. "The mangroves support a lot of biodiversity and are a space breeding space for aquatic life."

Kumar added that mangroves are also crucial for carbon sequestration. The mangroves suck carbon dioxide and store them in their roots, he said.

Aside from its protective function, the mangroves in Mumbai are biodiversity hotspots brimming with life. These healthy ecosystems provide a habitat for a varied range of flora and fauna, acting as nurseries for fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic animals. Rare and endangered species seek sanctuary in these lush havens, making them critical to the region's overall ecological balance.

NGOs and communities contribute towards the conservation

Recognising the importance of these mangrove ecosystems, concerted attempts to maintain and safeguard them have been launched. Government measures, along with the dedicated work of local NGOs and community groups, have concentrated on the preservation of these fragile ecosystems.

Local community groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have emerged as champions of mangrove conservation. Community participation, awareness campaigns, and hands-on conservation activities such as clean-up drives are all part of their grassroots efforts. These efforts not only protect mangroves but also allow people to take control of their natural heritage.

Conservation Action Trust, an NGO based in Mumbai, is one of the organisations contributing to safeguarding Mumbai's mangroves. When quizzed about their involvement in safeguarding the mangroves, Debi Goenka, the executive trustee of CAT said, "CAT is actively ensuring that the Bombay High Court Judgement is implemented in letter and spirit. We are continuously following this up with the forest department and other agencies involved."

Responding to a query on key initiatives undertaken by the organisation, he said, "Based on our observations and site visits, and also complaints sent to us by citizens, we file complaints with all the relevant officers and also follow up regarding the action taken."

Provisions safeguarding mangroves in Maharashtra

It is pertinent to note that mangroves are protected by various union and state laws and notifications apart from court orders.

Maharashtra Private Forest Act, 1975 empowers the government to take over and manage private forests which includes mangroves as well for conservation. Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Felling of Trees (Regulation) Act regulates the felling of trees, including mangroves.

Additionally, the Maharashtra Forest Rules of 2014 provide detailed regulations for the management of forests, including mangroves, in Maharashtra. They address issues like protection, utilisation, and community involvement.

Apart from these three laws, the judicial orders of the Bombay High Court directing the Maharashtra government to protect mangroves and declare them as forests aid in the conservation of the mangroves.

Govt destroys mangroves the most

Although the Maharashtra government has implemented policies and regulations aimed at safeguarding Mumbai's mangroves, Bhathena remarked that the government itself destroys the trees and that it does so with the courts' sanction.

"Mangroves are protected by law and by Bombay HC orders. Unfortunately, the government itself cuts the maximum number of mangroves in the name of various infrastructural projects. We have moved to the court in some of these issues. The biggest destructor of the mangroves in Mumbai is the government with the permission of the court. This is the unfortunate problem," Bhathena said.

He said the courts are helpful to an extent since their knowledge of engineering technicalities is limited.

"The courts don't have engineering know-how which does not make it easy for them to pull up the government as to why they are insistent on the project's execution in a certain way. As laymen, our knowledge of the know-how is limited too," Zoru said adding, "Solutions to preserve mangroves and execute the project can be devised; unfortunately, it is not presented in the court."

Kumar said although the government acknowledges the importance of mangrove conservation, it only does lip service. Programs like Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) were introduced but the pace of progress is slow, he remarked.

He said there has been excessive loss of mangroves in ecologically sensitive zones in Mumbai and the metropolitan region, including Navi Mumbai and added, "When the permission is given to cut mangroves, no one comes and conducts an audit like a CAG audit. There's no way of knowing if an entity has cut 1000 trees instead of sanctioned 100."

He also pointed out that the Bombay HC has constituted a Mangrove committee but the officials don't attend these meetings. The committee has also been lackadaisical in dealing with the Envrionment Department officials' absence, he added. He said that official neglect and public apathy is a recipe for disaster.

Mangrove Cell is a toothless body

Apart from the aforementioned laws, the Maharashtra government set up a Mangrove Cell in 2012 that has been tasked with the conservation of mangroves. The government has also set up an autonomous body under the Maharashtra Revenue and Forests Department viz Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation of Maharashtra (Mangrove Foundation) which was established to recruit the necessary skill sets and operational flexibility to implement conservation programmes across Maharashtra's coastal regions.

When asked about the Mangrove Cell, Bhathena noted that it was a toothless agency. Elaborating on his remark, he said, "Mangroves grow in the coastal regions but all the regions do not come under the purview of the Cell. Although they are tasked with looking after mangroves, the land's ownership creates a problem. Some of the land may be owned by either the state or union governments or some may belong to the civic agency (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) and some to private entities which creates complications."

He added that despite having a dedicated Cell, they are not empowered to take action. The environmentalist said that the Mangrove Cell themselves "have restrictions that they are only able to help in case of private complaints". Goenka, responding to the query, stated that they noticed the previous Heads of the Mangrove Cell "were not proactive when it came to protecting mangroves" and added that there was "too much red-tapism".

"The current Head of the Mangrove Cell is more proactive, but there is a great lacuna when it comes to action in the field. We have recently applied to the Bombay High Court to draw its attention to the delays and non-implementation of its judgement," Goenka said.

Who's destroying mangroves?

When asked about the support or resources the NGOs require from the government to enhance conservation activities, Debi said, "What we need are committed officers in the Mangroves Cell who will proactively take steps to protect and enhance the mangrove cover in Maharashtra. Mangrove protection cannot work within the four walls of an air-conditioned office."

Bhathena remarked that the government empowers the Mangrove Cell to not just look after and protect mangroves but also be enabled by law to take action against offenders.

Meanwhile, Kumar suggested that instead of aiding NGOs and communities with resources, if they enforce the regulations properly it would be good.