Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation has sent a strong letter to CIDCO, which plans to classify wetlands, mangrove forests, and lakes as 'open spaces' for commercial sale. The Municipal Corporation raises concerns about the feasibility of building parks on wetlands and mangrove forests, as well as how residents would reach these locations. Furthermore, it questions the categorisation of retention ponds beside the creek as open spaces designed for flood mitigation.
In Navi Mumbai's development strategy, the Municipal Corporation intends to allocate land for public facilities, designating well-situated areas to enhance the lives of residents. Lately, construction firms and political figures have been pushing to eliminate these land-use restrictions, promoting the idea of designating wetlands, lakes, and regions near sewage treatment facilities as open spaces. CIDCO intends to submit this proposal to its board in pursuit of state approval, possibly endangering essential civic services in the city.
The Municipal Corporation, which has planning authority, has raised concerns regarding CIDCO's changes to criteria, stressing that the 29.9 hectares affected by the 50-meter mangrove buffer, classified as a 'non-development zone,' cannot accommodate parks and recreational areas. Due to the swift urban growth of Navi Mumbai and upcoming water and sewage requirements, the Corporation claims that these regions ought not to be labeled as 'open.'
The Municipal Corporation has recognized a requirement for 650.90 hectares of open space, whereas the existing availability is at 393.38 hectares, reflecting a deficit of 257.52 hectares. Although suggesting an extra 216.31 hectares, there is still a shortfall of 41.21 hectares. The Corporation's concerns in the development plan emphasize CIDCO's possible plans to sell these essential parcels.
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The scenario prompts worries about the Urban Development Department's alignment with developers' priorities, risking the erroneous classification of vital natural resources such as lakes and forests as open spaces, akin to the expectations for neighboring marine regions.
