Navi Mumbai: In a positive move for environmental conservation, State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik has reportedly agreed to green activists’ proposal to set up a mangrove walk at a restoration site in Vashi and committed to protecting five key wetlands, including the ecologically sensitive Panje wetland in Uran.
Naik responded affirmatively to environmentalists’ requests to establish a mangrove walk near Vashi railway station. He expressed interest in developing four such eco-friendly walkways across Navi Mumbai: at Vashi, Ghansoli, Airoli, and Belapur.
B N Kumar, director of NatConnect Foundation, submitted a proposal to Naik to construct a wooden mangrove boardwalk at Survey Number 17, where thousands of mangroves were previously destroyed to facilitate an illegal slum encroachment. The mangrove cell has since razed the encroachments and booked over a dozen individuals for environmental violations.
With no mangroves currently present in the four-hectare area, Kumar emphasized that it is the “ideal time” to construct a one-kilometer-long zigzag boardwalk, ensuring no harm to tidal flora. He noted that this proactive approach would avoid the challenges faced during the Gorai mangrove walk project, where workers struggled to find clear land to install support poles.
Naik appreciated the concept and promptly forwarded the proposal to department officials, stating, “I will discuss this with my officers.”
In an earlier meeting, environmentalists and bird watchers congratulated Naik for his leadership in securing conservation reserve status for DPS Flamingo Lake. The delegation included former corporator Netra Shirke, activist Sandeep Sareen from the Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society, and several residents.
Additionally, NatConnect submitted a detailed document advocating for the preservation of five crucial wetlands: NRI and TS Chanakya in Nerul, Belpada, Bhendkhal, and Panje in Uran. The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Mangrove Cell have also recommended protecting these wetlands under the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) management plan — a proposal supported by the Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited (NMIAL) to safeguard local biodiversity.
Naik reassured the environmental groups that protecting mangroves and wetlands remains a top priority on his agenda.
