Coastal body must take critical view on mangrove hacking: Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court Monday said the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), being a protector of the environment, should take a critical stand while granting permissions for hacking of mangroves for public projects including that for the Metro Line 2A.

A division bench of Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice N M Jamdar made the observation while hearing an application filed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) seeking permission to hack 86 mangroves in western suburbs of the city to construct a car maintenance yard and pier pillars for the Metro 2A project.

The Metro 2A line will run between Dahisar and D N Nagar in suburban Andheri. The 18.58 km-long elevated corridor will have 17 stations. The MMRDA is carrying out civil works for the line.

In 2005, while hearing a petition filed by an environment group, the HC had said the court's permission will have to be taken before hacking mangroves for any public project.

Advocate Saket Mone, appearing for the MMRDA, Monday told the court that MCZMA has granted permission to hack the mangroves for the metro project.

To this, Chief Justice Nandrajog said, "The MCZMA should take a critical stand (on cutting of mangroves). You are a protector of the environment."