HC tells civic body to maintain status quo on dumping ground

The Bombay High Court today asked the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai to maintain status quo on any construction activity near mangroves area at a dumping ground in suburban Kanjurmarg as directed by the ministry of environment and forests.
The order was passed by a bench headed by Justice Dhananjay Chandrachud who heard two PILs filed by Vanashakti, an NGO, and MLA Mangesh Sangale, challenging violations on the land in question.
The ministry had granted environmental clearance on March 17, 2009 for the development of Solid Waste Management Facility at Kanjurmarg.
In response to PILs, the high court had on May 10 asked the ministry of environment to inspect the site and file an affidavit pointing out violations if any.

The ministry inspected the site and found violations. Accordingly, a show cause notice was issued to the civic body.
The notice said a wall had been constructed in CRZ-III area for which no permission had been obtained from the ministry. Besides, reclamation activity was found higher than the prescribed limits.

The notice alleged that unscientific construction of culverts had changed the influx of tidal water within the boundary which had added to the destruction of mangroves in certain pockets.
The court today directed the civic body to reply to the show cause notice by this month end and asked the ministry to take a decision by September 26.

The next date for hearing has been fixed for October 4.