The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has directed the Raigad district collector to probe the alleged CRZ violations in the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Navi Mumbai. The action was initiated following a complaint by NatConnect Foundation on the PMO Public Grievance website, claiming that PMAY projects, particularly in the Mansarovar and Kharghar areas, were built near mangroves, mudflats, and inter-tidal wetlands.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) subsequently asked the MCZMA to investigate the matter.
B N Kumar, director of NatConnect, pointed out that the compound wall of the Kharghar project, situated on the northern side of the railway station, is a mere 8 to 25 metres from the mangroves, thus violating central and state clearances granted for the projects.
The environment clearance (EC) summary issued by MOEFCC clearly stated that “no mangroves will be affected during construction of the entire project and that the 50-metre buffer line has to be maintained”. Furthermore, dense vegetation of tall trees with foliage should be present along the buffer line to minimise fugitive dust emission towards the mangrove area.
The environmental clearances were issued after visits by the state mangrove cell, with the stipulation that the mangrove zones not be affected. NatConnect submitted recent Google Earth images and on-site photographs to support its case.
The 143rd meeting of the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority, held on Feb 4, 2020, noted that the projects were partly under CRZ1, prohibiting Cidco from constructing within the 50-metre mangrove buffer zone and requiring it to maintain a 100-metre CRZ setback for the creek. Cidco has denied any violation in CRZ rules.
Jyoti Nadkarni of Kharghar Hills and Wetland Forum raised concern that the compound wall will push the high tide line towards the Panvel creek, potentially causing flooding in other areas as water finds its own path and does not adhere to Cidco walls.
Environmentalists are urging for a thorough on-site investigation and measures to safeguard the people and properties, stressing that taxpayers’ hard-earned money is being used as subsidies for the PMAY project.
Greens expressed worry about the 10,000 people who will be accommodated at the Kharghar project, as they will be permanently at risk of tidal wave attacks.
