HC suggests grievance forum to save wetlands

MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Monday directed the state government to set up a redressal mechanism within eight weeks to take quick action on complaints on the destruction of wetlands.

The division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Amjad Syed felt the need to create a grievance redressal mechanism after noting major violations of the environmental provisions and rules that were reported from Mumbai Suburban and Thane districts, where a large number of complaints about destruction of wetlands were reported.

It directed the state government to set up the mechanism so as to enable citizens to lodge complaints

through a toll-free number or by through Whatsapp.

The bench also directed the government to constitute a committee headed by revenue commissioner of Konkan division and comprising local police and civic officials, (Maharashtra Pollution Control

orders regarding the protection and restoration of the wetlands.

It has further directed tehsildars of respective talukas and senior police inspectors, to take action on the complaints received through the mechanism.

The court was hearing a Vanashakti Public Trust raising grievance about the lack of action against unscrupulous builders who were illegally reclaiming the lands and carrying on construction after dumping debris on wetlands and mangrove areas in flagrant violation of the rules and provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.

The directive came after the counsel for the petitioner organisation, senior advocate Gayatri Singh, pointed out numerous instances of violations of the earlier court order for preserving wetlands.

The petitioner body has also filed a contempt petition saying that despite specific orders from the court, wetlands were being reclaimed and mangroves were being destroyed at Mumbai