mumbaiUpdated: May 07, 2020 19:18 ISTThe Union environment ministry’s latest amendment to the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) norms ends speculations by planning agencies in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) that claimed artificially created “inland mangroves” need not be protected. Such areas under mangroves shall be protected and shall not be diverted for any developmental activities,” the notification said. The notification could protect mangrove forests in Uran and Dronagiri where the Navi Mumbai Special Economic Zone — an integrated industrial township — has been planned. “Hopefully, the Panje wetlands and all the other mangroves in Navi Mumbai will have to be protected by Cidco.”Pramod Patil, nodal officer (environment), Cidco said, “The sluice gates in Uran were constructed sometime during 1994-95. “While the sluice gates had not been properly maintained (by Cidco themselves), the planning agency made several efforts to destroy mangrove trees within Navi Mumbai and Uran.

Source: Hindustan Times May 07, 2020 13:13 UTC