July 23, 2025: The campaign to save the mangrove-rich wetlands of Lokhandwala in Andheri West has gathered pace, following sustained complaints by local residents regarding illegal dumping, construction, and destruction within a non-development zone.
Last week, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab raised the issue in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, bringing renewed attention to the matter. In response, State Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde visited the site over the weekend. During her visit, she found unauthorised land-filling in the buffer zone and immediately ordered a thorough investigation. She also instructed that the damaged wetlands be restored.
A major portion of the same wetland is also under threat from the proposed Coastal Road North project, which will run from Versova to Bhayandar. Though the Union Ministry has granted in-principle approval, the BMC must secure permission from the High Court before commencing work. Environmentalists have also raised objections to the proposed construction of a law university in the area.
Wildlife filmmaker and conservationist Sumesh Lekhi stressed that the project must avoid damaging these ecologically sensitive wetlands. “Any permission for dumping, construction, or destruction given by the BMC, MoEF, or other authorities violates environmental laws,” he said. He added that the Oshiwara-Lokhandwala wetlands span roughly 1,000 acres, home to tens of thousands of birds and significant biodiversity, while also serving as vital drainage during monsoons.
Lekhi and others are now calling for environmental activists to be included in the official committee overseeing the matter.Filmmaker and activist Ashoke Pandit has also written to Minister Munde, pledging continued support. “The locals are fully aware of the ground reality,” he noted. Minister Munde has directed authorities to act swiftly against encroachment and said, “The system must work quickly to protect the environment.”
Source: The Free Press Journal
