A family of Indian jackals was recently spotted in Sector 52A, Nerul, a protected wetland, mangrove, and forest area, just before widespread habitat destruction took place due to unauthorized construction activity. The destruction, carried out by a private builder with the facilitation of the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), has sparked outrage among environmental activists and citizens.
"The incident comes even as the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s (NMMC) draft Development Plan (DP) — which proposes converting parts of Sector 52A into a residential zone — remains under review and pending approval from the State Government. Despite this, CIDCO auctioned plots, issued allotment letters, and allowed heavy machinery on-site, raising questions about procedural violations and environmental oversight," activist Sunil Agarwal from Save Navi Mumbai Environment group, said.
Over 300 trees have already been felled, and critical wildlife habitat razed, endangering the ecosystem that supports diverse species, including Indian jackals, he added. Environmentalists warn that this destruction not only threatens biodiversity but also undermines the region’s flood control and climate resilience.
“This blatant disregard for ecology, legality, and the future of our city reflects the unholy nexus between powerful institutions and profiteering builders,” Agarwal said, adding, “What remains now is a scar on the city’s conscience.”
CIDCO’s actions have also defied a court order requiring the transfer of mangroves to the Forest Department — a transfer that has been delayed despite multiple deadlines and public assurances by the Forest Minister to declare Sector 52A as a Conservation Reserve. No concrete action has been taken on the ground, further fueling concerns over unchecked environmental degradation.
Save Navi Mumbai Environment has issued urgent demands, including the immediate halt of all construction and land-clearing activities in Sector 52A, revocation of CIDCO’s plot allotments, expedited declaration of the area as a Conservation Reserve, legal action against those responsible for illegal tree felling, and the full transfer of all mangrove and wetland areas to the Forest Department as per court orders.
