HC orders inspection of illegal garbage dumping on mangroves

The Bombay High Court today asked the authorities concerned to ensure that there is no illegal dumping of construction debris and garbage on the mangroves in the western suburb of Vakola.
The court directed Brihamumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) and Mumbai Suburban Collector to carry out inspection of Vakola Nalla area, where illegal dumping is allegedly underway.
The division bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M S Sonak said the authorities should coordinate their efforts and ensure that mangroves, which are an important part of the coastal eco-system, are not destroyed.
The site inspection has to be done by September 20.

The order came during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by social worker Jagdish Gandhi, who today submitted photographs of illegal dumping.
Gandhi said he earlier approached all the civic authorities, but no agency was ready to own the responsibility to protect mangroves.

"It is absurd that the three authorities have said it is not their area," the court commented.
The court also asked the MMRDA to file a status report on the steps taken to protect mangroves at the Vakola Nalla by October 1.
In 2005, the Bombay High Court, by a blanket order, had banned the cutting of mangrove forests in the entire state.