Times of India: Navi
Mumbai: Sunday, March 16, 2014.
The mangrove
department has officially termed a few fire cracker stalls, set up during
Diwali, adjacent to the mangroves in Bonkode as illegal. The area falls within
the ward of Mayor Sagar Naik.
The
department was responding to an RTI query put up by Vashi resident and
environmentalist Ajay Marathe. He had filed an RTI on November 21, 2013, which
was responded to on February 15.
As demanded
by the activist, the department provided photocopies of the internal inquiries
that were conducted post the complaints and the correspondence it had with the
civic body as well as the stall owners.
As per the
report, the stalls were set up at a distance of 5 to 7 metres from the
mangroves. Notices were issued to the stall owners association on their right
to conduct such a business within an area falling under Coastal Regulation Zone
(CRZ).
"The
findings indicate that the activity was illegal. Besides forestry, no other
activities can be undertaken within 50 metres of this ecologically sensitive
area. In the event of a fire, the nature of destruction will be beyond anyone's
comprehension," said Marathe.
The 8-point
report stated that on October 30, a notice was sent for removal of the stalls.
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) was also questioned, as the area
falls under its jurisdiction.
"The
stall owners are reported to have sought an exemption as four days of the
festive period were on. They also said that they had paid the required taxes to
NMMC. The civic body needs to be held accountable for violating the
norms," added Marathe.
The activist
has been vocal about environment laws being violated as a result of setting up
of the stalls.
"It has
become an annual practice to set up cracker stalls on this stretch before and
during Diwali. Earlier, just a few stalls used to be set up. Now, the number
stands at 28. No authority is willing to take any action. Though the area falls
under CRZ, it has not deterred the stall owners to set up their business. The
NMMC is clearly hand-in-glove with the stall owners," said Marathe.
The activist
said his assertions were substantiated due to the response given by the stall
owners association, Vighnaharta Fataka Vikreta Sangh, to the mangrove
department. The association had stated that it had acquired permissions from
both the civic body and the police to operate the stalls. The activist is now
contemplating filing a legal case, with NMMC as a party.
It has become
an annual practice to set up cracker stalls on this stretch before and during
Diwali. The number stands at 28. No authority is willing to take any action.
Though the area falls under CRZ, it has not deterred the stall owners to set up
their business. The NMMC is clearly hand-in-glove with the stall owners
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