Immediate Action Taken on Mangrove Destruction in Andheri; Environment Minister Pankaja Munde Conducts Site Inspection

Minister Orders Criminal Cases Against Illegal Land Fillers and Restoration of Mangroves

Mumbai – Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde has taken serious note of the illegal cutting of mangroves in the Lokhandwala Back Road area of Andheri West, conducting a direct inspection of the site and issuing strict orders. She instructed that criminal cases be filed against those responsible for illegal land filling and directed officials to remove the unauthorized fill and restore the original mangrove ecosystem.

Fulfilling her promise made in the Legislative Assembly in response to an alert by MLA Anil Parab, Minister Munde visited the affected location immediately after the conclusion of the legislative session.

During the inspection at CTS No. 161 in the Pahadi Goregaon area, Minister Munde was accompanied by MLA Anil Parab, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Climate Change Jayashree Bhoj, Member Secretary of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) Avinash Dhakne, and officials from various departments.

It was observed during the site visit that a large quantity of land filling had been carried out in the buffer zone without any authorization. Noting that this was a clear violation of environmental norms, Minister Munde questioned how the land, previously categorized as a Non-Development Zone (NDZ), had suddenly been reclassified as a Development Zone. She instructed the department to thoroughly investigate the reasons and process behind the reclassification.

She also issued immediate orders to file FIRs against the contractors responsible for the unauthorized land filling. Furthermore, she emphasized that the encroached area must be cleared and the original mangrove habitat restored.

Given the complaints of extensive mangrove destruction and encroachment, Minister Munde directed officials to compile all such incidents and take swift action. She stressed that such illegal activities must be stopped immediately and that agencies must act promptly to protect the environment.