Mangroves in Kharghar Danda are being destroyed by jetties being built as part of the Versova-Bandra Sea Link (Coastal Road), according to the Watchdog Foundation, a citizens’ group.
The group has written to the chief secretary, the environment department, and the Maharashtra chief minister to draw attention to the destruction of the site’s mangrove forests caused by careless trash disposal along the Khar Danda shore.
At Bandra, Danda, Juhu, and Versova, four jetties will be built as part of the Versova-Bandra Sea Link project. Connectors are also suggested in Versova, Juhu Koliwada, and Otters Club (Carter Road, Bandra).While the jetty at Khar Danda and the link at Juhu Koliwada are still being built, locals have complained that the greenery on the ground next to the Pump House at Guzder Bandh has been destroyed. Debris is being dumped carelessly, destroying mangroves and other vegetation. According to Godfrey Pimenta, trustee of the Watchdog Foundation, there is increasing concern that slums would soon encroach on this cleared property. In order to prevent future encroachments, the Watchdog Foundation recommended that the construction site be sufficiently walled. According to the group, only legal, traditional fishing operations conducted by local fishermen should be able to access the location.
Source: The Free Press Journal
