Navi Mumbai News: Citizens, Environmentalists Slam CIDCO For Ignoring Illegal Debris Dumping In Lotus Lake Wetland Despite 4 Weeks Of Protests

Navi Mumbai: Despite four consecutive Sunday protests and over 120 emails sent by concerned citizens, CIDCO continues to ignore calls for the removal of illegally dumped debris in Nerul's Lotus Lake, sparking widespread outrage among environmentalists and residents alike.

On Sunday, around 50 environmentally conscious citizens gathered once again, marking the fourth week of sustained demonstrations aimed at protecting the ecologically important wetland. The protestors allege that CIDCO has not only failed to act but has shown blatant disregard for the lake’s protected status.

“Lotus Lake is officially recognised as a wetland in government records. Yet, CIDCO has tried to downplay its ecological value while allowing its degradation,” said one protestor.

Amid growing frustration, former corporator Saluja Sutar addressed the gathering and shared that the Maharashtra Forest Minister, Ganesh Naik, has responded positively to citizen representations. According to her, the Minister has assured peservation of the lake’s current status, and removal of the construction debris dumped in violation of norms.

Protestors also resolved to engage nearby educational institutions, aiming to sensitize youth about the environmental and cultural significance of the Lotus Lake ecosystem.

The event concluded with a clear message: citizens will not back down. They vowed to continue all legal, official, and peaceful efforts to hold CIDCO accountable and restore the lake.

"The silence from CIDCO has only strengthened public resolve. For many, this is no longer just about one lake—it is about ensuring transparency, accountability, and respect for ecological laws in urban planning," activist Sunil Agarwal said.

Sutar has met Minister Ganesh Naik last week during Janata Darbar and highlighted the issue. Naik asked NMMC to get the debris cleared in a week's time. "Cidco has dumped the debris from the airport site and the agenda is to reclaim the wetland and then sell it to a builder," activist Shruti Agarwal said.