Navi Mumbai: As many as 160 acres of mangroves have been destroyed through debris dumping and other illegal activities across Raigad, Thane and Palghar districts, according to a detailed study based on satellite imagery and technical analysis. The findings were presented by environmentalist D Stalin, a member of the Bombay high court–appointed state wetlands committee.
Green groups have urged the Maharashtra government to stop treating mangroves and wetlands casually, warning that several coastal regulation zone (CRZ) areas remain vulnerable. Activists pointed to more than four acres of a partial CRZ area near the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) headquarters in Belapur, which was earlier converted into a cricket ground. The civic body now plans to build a super-speciality hospital on the site and adjoining land. While cricket enthusiasts have also opposed the move, environmentalists say it reflects a broader pattern of CRZ encroachment across the three districts.
Stalin, who heads NGO Vanashakti, said the destruction was carried out in blatant violation of high court orders protecting wetlands. “It is shocking that mangroves spread over 160 acres have been destroyed. The actual environmental damage is far greater. Apart from mangroves, thousands of acres of wetlands have been illegally reclaimed but not even documented. We urge the government to restore these ecologically critical areas and prosecute those responsible,” he said.
The satellite mapping was conducted by Mahapreit ERAF and Geoinfo Services. According to the study, Palghar suffered the highest loss, with mangroves destroyed over 78.99 acres. Raigad followed with 53.71 acres encroached upon, while Thane saw damage to 28.26 acres of mangrove land.
Environmental activist Nandakumar Pawar, president of the Maharashtra Small Scale Traditional Fish Workers Union and head of Sagarshakti Coastal Projects, said mangrove destruction continues unchecked. “The government response has been inadequate, and this could trigger serious ecological hazards in the future. Recently, large mangrove trees were destroyed at Dadarpada in Raigad’s Pen taluka, and the green coast at Panje in Uran taluka is also being damaged through debris dumping,” he said.
Activists warned that continued loss of mangroves could lead to severe flooding and other disasters affecting human settlements. Stalin added that the satellite study clearly marks encroachments in red, highlighting the scale of illegal activity. He also expressed concern over the CRZ land behind the NMMC headquarters being converted into a ground and now proposed for hospital construction.
Earlier, TOI had spoken to NMMC commissioner Kailas Shinde, who said the issue of the proposed hospital site is currently before the court due to litigation involving multiple parties, including cricket organisers.
