Mumbai restores its 20-acre mangrove patch
A 20-acre barren patch of wetland at the Vikhroli end of the Jogeshwari-Vikhlori Link Road (JVLR) in Mumbai was restored after five years.
The work was in the pipeline for the past eight months and state mangrove cell officials called it one of the largest mangrove restoration projects in Mumbai so far.
Last year in July, HT had reported that the area had lost 80% of its mangroves in five years and officials from the district collector’s office had opened blockages to allow tide water to reach the wetland patch in the city’s eastern suburbs.
The Bombay HC, in July 2016, directed the state to take steps to restore the areas highlighted in the contempt petition by nonprofit organisation Vanashakti over non-implementation of Wetland Rules, 2010, in Maharashtra.
“This site is a good example of how nature will restore itself if we make way. The tidal flow was restored and the mangroves are reviving,” said Stalin D, director, NGO Vanashakti. “The mangroves have covered almost 80% of the barren patch and grown to the height of four to five feet.”
District collectorate officials said siltation had blocked most of the pipelines that were developed to channel water to the wetlands. “Last year, we unclogged a pipeline using large suction pipes and removed silt and sewage. We asked the civic body to channel a path to supply water to the mangroves during high tide. We conducted regular visits to the site and monitored the growth of trees,” said VJ Kanhekar, revenue officer from the area.
He added that majority of the mangroves were restored naturally. Only some saplings were collected from the mangrove cell and planted at the site. “We will ensure that the site receives adequate water so that it is restored completely before the monsoons,” said Kanhekar.
State mangrove cell officials lauded the efforts and said seven other mangrove sites in Mumbai will be restored with saplings within this year.
“The ability of mangroves to rejuvenate themselves is spectacular. These are sturdy trees that do not need anything other than nutrients to settle over the top soil, which the high tide does. When the water recedes, mangrove roots absorb nutrients and oxygen,” said N Vasudevan, chief conservator of forest, state mangrove cell. “We have similar restoration projects underway at Chedda Nagar in Chembur, Manori-Gorai mangrove belt, Charkop and some small patches in Navi Mumbai,” he said.
Environmentalists added that the state still needs to look at restoration at several other areas in Dahisar in Mumbai and some locations like Kasheli, Kahler, Uran and Bhiwandi.
“For a city like Mumbai, mangroves are the first line of defence against floods. Also, considering the drought conditions that the state is facing, it is imperative to protect our mangrove cover,” said Stalin D.