‘Mangroves on Goregaon land destroyed by debris dumping’

But environmentalists say “voluminous material” evidencing destruction of mangroves on the land was concluded in an order of the Union environment ministry on April 5, 2013.

Debi Goenka, executive trustee of the environment group Conservation Action Trust, said, “Largescale destruction of mangroves was carried out by the proponent of a project (for building a golf course, a clubhouse and villas) by building illegal embankments and blocking tidal water flow.

Almost all mangroves at the site have now been destroyed. Illegal dumping of debris is sporadically continuing despite numerous complaints.”

Almost two decades ago, the environment ministry set up a two-member committee following complaints from locals and housing societies. This panel visited the site on November 3, 2002, and found large-scale destruction of mangroves.

At the time, the ministry also directed the Space Application Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, to study the status of mangroves on the plot.

“A time series analysis was carried out using satellite data between 1990 and 2002. The report by SAC categorically states that dense mangroves existed at the location from 1990 to 1998,” said Goenka.

“Sudden degradation of mangroves was observed in some areas in 1996 and bunds or embankments were observed from 1998-1999 onwards, thus stopping the flow of tidal water, which caused the destruction of mangroves.”

Chief conservator of forests Shree Bhagwan, who chaired the state-appointed panel, told TOI it submitted its report to the government early this month. Prior to a 2005 high court order, mangroves were not included in the definition of ‘protected forests’, the panel said.