The region has been beset by encroachment and fires. The residents hope this drive will ensure the preservation of the mangroves.
In a bid to preserve the mangroves in the region, close to 100 residents of Kandivali in Mumbai came together with NGOs and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation workers to clear a whopping 20,000kg of trash.
Since last year, the mangroves in the area (sector 8, Charkop) have been beset by fires (around 14) set by unidentified individuals. Residents are hoping that by cleaning up the trash that ends up in the mangroves, the authorities would step in and protect the region.
Joining hands with the residents for the four-hour drive were NGOs, Aarey Conservation Group, River March and Go Green Foundation.
Image for representation. Photo source: Wikimedia
Sahebrao Gaikwad, assistant municipal commissioner, R-South spoke to the Hindustan Times noting, “Our 15 staff members helped clean up the mangroves. They will continue to work over the weekend and next week. We will be deputing a field marshal at the site from Saturday. The idea is for people to stop using plastic bags and try to use eco-friendly bags. This will help reduce trash that ends up in mangroves or nullahs.”
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The other reason why this sector had to be cleaned up urgently is because the state wants to patch up the area before the monsoon season arrives and ends up flooding the region. The assistant conservator of forest, Mumbai Mangrove Conservation Unit, Makarand Ghodke, has noted that the state government has given the go-ahead to conduct large-scale drives against encroachment.
Earlier this year, the Mangrove Cell of Maharashtra government also announced that it will be putting up fences around mangroves that are most vulnerable to encroaching. This includes parts of the city like Colaba, Worli and Malvani.
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