09 December,2012 07:45 AM IST | | Saurabh Katkurwar
To compensate the loss of 110 hectares of mangroves due to the construction of the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), CIDCO plans to develop 615 hectares of mangroves at three to four different sites. Gurunath Anarse, general manager (environment), CIDCO, said, "We have chosen a few sites around the airport where mangroves will be planted. We will take the help of an NGO, and begin plantation soon."
A mangrove park will also be developed on 245 hectares of land at Waghivali Island, Navi Mumbai. "We have finalised a plan for the development of the park in which advanced irrigation system will be used. This development will be in collaboration with the forest department and other concerned agencies. The park is expected to be used for research and study purposes in the future. and is expected to incur an expenses of Rs 8 to 10 crores," said Anarse.
The state forest department has issued forest clearance for around 250 hectares of land for development of NMIA and subsequently the state government has sent the forest clearance to the MoEF for the final approval. u00a0
