Navi Mumbai: The Tahsildar of Thane has written to the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) seeking guidance on how to file a case against City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) after confirming that land under its ownership witnessed illegal tree cutting using JCB machines in the mangroves buffer zone.
The destruction reportedly occurred without permission from the Mangroves Cell or the Bombay High Court, thereby violating the court’s order in PIL 87 of 2006, the letter by the tehsildar to the SDO mentions.
The complaint was initially lodged by Shruti Agarwal through the Mangrove Protection App on March 10, highlighting massive destruction of trees in Nerul, Seawoods (Sector-52A, Plot Nos. 3, 6, and 7).
Acting on the complaint, a joint site inspection was carried out on March 12, by officials from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), Forest Department, and Maritime Board.
According to the inspection report, around 100 trees, including Indhani, Bor, Elaichi Chinch, Kashid, Subabhul, and Meshawak, were uprooted using heavy machinery. The CIDCO representative present at the site confirmed that the land belongs to CIDCO but was allotted to M/s Mayors Today Royal Developers on March 5. However, CIDCO still retains possession of the land.
Given the violation of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, the Tahsildar has sought directions from the SDO on whether a criminal case should be filed against CIDCO under Sections 15 and 19 of the Act. Further action will depend on the response from the SDO’s office.
