NMMC asked to install CCTVs to check debris dumping in mangroves

MUMBAI: A committee headed by the Konkan Divisional Commissioner has asked the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) to install CCTV cameras in mangrove areas prone to dumping of debris.
“Police suggested that wherever mangroves are vulnerable to dumping of debris, CCTVs should be installed as round-the-clock monitoring was not possible. They identified two such areas within the NMMC region and accordingly other agencies were also asked to consider this suggestion,” said Konkan divisional commissioner Tanaji Satre.
Following the Bombay High Court’s August 4 directive, the Mangrove Preservation Committee was formed to protect mangroves along the large coastline of the Thane creek. The committee has representatives from CIDCO, NMMC, forest department, the city police, mangrove cell and a member from the Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society (NMEPS). It held its maiden meeting on Monday at Konkan Bhavan.
“At least two prominent mangrove stretches of Navi Mumbai—near Delhi Public School, Seawoods and the Ghansoli-Airoli belt— are prone to debris dumping which has destroyed mangroves. In these areas the corporation will work out the feasibility of having CCTV cameras as suggested in the meeting,” said Ankush Chavan, NMMC additional commissioner and member of the co-ordination committee.
“The NMMC is moving in the right direction, but putting up CCTV cameras alone in areas prone to dumping will not be of any use owing to the vast areas that mangroves occupy. A combination of live monitoring with cameras along with increased patrolling by the squads in these area would be required,” said Stalin Dayanand, environmentalist and project director of the NGO Vanashakti.
“The areas that have been encroached upon by debris are to be cleared and re-plantation of mangroves has to be conducted,” said secretary NMEPS, Anupam Verma.