Navi Mumbai: Despite State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik’s assurance to protect a green patch with over 200 trees in the polluted MIDC chemical belt, environmentalists allege that excavation work has begun on the site, seemingly in preparation for construction.
An application filed by the environmental watchdog NatConnect Foundation to safeguard the area is pending before the National Green Tribunal (NGT), where MIDC has yet to submit its response.
Earlier, activists launched a campaign to preserve the greenery developed by a private petrochemical firm on the 3,600 sq. mtr. plot OS-7, part of which—300 sq. mtr.—has been allocated to a Project Affected Person (PAP) for commercial development.
NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar, who petitioned the NGT, said he met Minister Naik twice, urging him to protect the ecologically crucial green buffer zone. Naik reportedly directed MIDC officials to spare the green patch and assured that he would take all necessary steps to safeguard it.
The MIDC counsel has also orally assured the NGT’s western zonal bench that no trees will be cut on the plot.
However, NatConnect expressed shock at reports of unauthorized activity—part of the plot’s fencing has been removed, steel rods have been inserted at tree bases, and roofing sheets have been brought in. Individuals claiming to represent the plot allottee have allegedly initiated these actions.
“We have no objection to MIDC resettling project-affected people, but this should not come at the cost of a designated open space that hosts lush greenery,” Kumar said.
The 300 sq. mtr. plot houses 34 trees, and if construction is allowed, it could set a dangerous precedent, putting the entire OS-7 plot and its 200 trees at risk, he warned.
Kumar also highlighted frequent complaints about harmful pollutants from industrial facilities in the Thane-Belapur Industrial Belt, affecting residential areas such as Ghansoli, Kopar Khairane, Vashi, and Nerul.
In response, NatConnect has engaged with authorities through emails and meetings to address air pollution and has raised concerns over Navi Mumbai’s low per-capita tree ratio, which exacerbates pollution.
“Preserving our existing greenery is critical, but we must also work toward increasing the city’s green cover,” Kumar emphasized.
