Navi Mumbai News: Environmentalists Demand Mangrove Restoration At 4-Hectare Vashi Site, Urge Debris Clearance

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Environmentalists and activists have urged authorities to restore the mangroves at a four-hectare destruction site in Vashi by clearing debris and initiating afforestation efforts. They emphasized that mangrove conservation is crucial for maintaining ecological balance, protecting coastal areas, and preventing further environmental degradation.

NatConnect Foundation director B. N. Kumar stressed the need for compensatory afforestation at the same site where mangroves were destroyed. “Traditionally, afforestation efforts have taken place miles away in locations like Jalgaon or Gadchiroli, which fails to restore the ecological balance in the affected areas. Authorities must ensure that mangroves lost to infrastructure projects are replaced within the same region,” said Kumar.

Environmentalists’ concerns stem from the presence of debris that remains uncleared, even as the Mangrove Cell’s Navi Mumbai unit has removed encroachments on the site near Survey Number 7 in Vashi. Advocate and activist Pradeep Patole has called for coordination among the Mangrove Cell, Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), and the Konkan Divisional Commissioner to ensure the swift restoration of the mangrove ecosystem.

Meanwhile, environmentalists have suggested that NMMC’s planned Mangrove Park should be established at the Vashi site itself. “Constructing a wooden trail while undertaking mangrove plantation would allow for smooth execution of the restoration project without causing further damage,” pointed out activists.

Kumar highlighted the challenges faced during the construction of the Gorai-Dahisar mangrove trail, where extreme precautions were necessary to avoid damaging existing tidal plants. “In contrast, initiating a restoration project at Vashi before new plant growth would be significantly easier and allow for structured afforestation efforts,” he said.

While NMMC has proposed a Mangrove Park in the Ghansoli-Airoli stretch, environmentalists oppose the move, arguing that it could disturb thick patches of existing mangroves. Instead, they advocate for developing the park at the Vashi site, ensuring effective restoration and long-term conservation of the mangrove ecosystem.