Mangroves, fishing areas threatened by Uran port, say locals

MUMBAI: Fishermen and environmentalists have complained to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) about the destruction of the Uran wetlands by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT).

The Navi Mumbai-based Shree Ekvira Aai Pratishtan (SEAP), which represents over 1,600 fishing families in four villages, said that their livelihood has been affected by the destruction of the fishing areas.

“Of 32,600 hectares of fishing grounds, 20,000 hectares have already been lost along with our livelihood source. We are the traditional fishing community. We have been fishing and feeding our families for centuries,” said Nandakumar Pawar, head, SEAP.

The complaint referred to HT’S June report on how the destruction of mangrove forests has not only destroyed fishing areas, but also habitats of migratory birds like flamingos. The mangrove cell later, confirmed that 4,550 mangrove trees had been destroyed by JNPT.

A senior official from NHRC said they had taken cognisance of the complaint.

“We have already responded stating the matter will be investigated. The NHRC team looking into ecological issues has informed the Maharashtrabased departments to look into the matter,” the official said.

JNPT officials said they had all permissions from the state and central government, and had been handed over 19.5 hectare of mangrove and wetland

patches, of which, only 15 hectare was destroyed, and compensatory afforestation had been carried out for the same.

But environmentalists said the port has violated environmental laws, orders of the Coastal Regulation Zone notification 1991, the Bombay high court order 2005 and the National Green Tribunal orders.

BN Kumar, an environmentalist, said, “These projects have been given conditional clearances from central and state government stating that it should not cause any damage or destroy mangroves, wetlands; and water bodies should not be reclaimed with aqua marine life present in it.”

The Bombay HC is hearing a petition filed by fishermen and environmentalists about destruction of mangroves for building port infrastructure. The matter will be heard by the Supreme Court on July 21.