Rampant Degradation Of Diva-Mumbra Mangroves: A Call For Urgent Environmental Action

Thane: Located along the banks of the Ulhas River Estuary, the Diva-Mumbra region is home to some of India’s densest and most ecologically significant mangrove forests. These rich green belts—comprising species such as White Mangrove (Avicennia marina) and Mangrove Apple (Sonneratia alba)—are vital to both biodiversity and coastal protection. Yet, despite their value, they face unprecedented threats from unchecked urbanization and illegal land reclamation.

Mangroves support a wide variety of life forms. Birds, fishes, reptiles, insects, and numerous mollusc species depend on this unique ecosystem for survival. The loss of mangroves would trigger a cascading effect, destroying habitats and endangering the intricate food webs they support. Moreover, mangroves play a critical environmental role: they buffer coastal regions against erosion, storm surges, and flooding by absorbing wave energy and stabilizing sediments.

What makes mangroves especially vulnerable is their delicate ecological balance. They grow in intertidal zones—regions where land meets the sea. Once uprooted or destroyed, they are incredibly difficult to regenerate elsewhere. This highlights the urgent need to conserve them in their native locations rather than attempting replantation elsewhere.

Unfortunately, rampant destruction continues. In the Diva-Mumbra region, large-scale dumping of debris and unauthorized construction are replacing the mangrove cover. Local builders exploit the land for quick profits, often selling homes at low prices to economically weaker sections.

During monsoons, these reclaimed areas flood easily due to the absence of natural drainage once provided by mangroves. In a cruel twist, these very buildings are later declared unauthorized, displacing the same residents who were lured into buying them.

This pattern reflects not only ecological negligence but also a failure of governance. The systematic reclamation of mangrove land for dumping grounds and illegal construction continues unchecked, often under the guise of development.

While the government does act after the damage is done, it would be far more effective to enforce preventive measures. Strict action must be taken against illegal encroachments, and those responsible for environmental damage should be held accountable.

A proactive conservation strategy is urgently needed—one that includes:

. Strict enforcement of CRZ norms and buffer zones

. Regular satellite monitoring and ground truthing to track encroachments

. Empowering local communities and citizen groups to report violations

. Legal accountability for developers and officials complicit in environmental crimes

. Integration of mangrove conservation into urban planning and disaster risk reduction policies

Thane: Jitendra Awhad Alleges Massive Mangroves Encroachment By Land Mafia In Mumbra

Preserving the mangroves of Diva-Mumbra is not merely an environmental concern—it is a social, economic, and ethical imperative. Protecting these forests ensures ecological resilience, safeguards livelihoods, and upholds the right of future generations to a healthy and balanced environment.

The time for symbolic gestures has passed. What is now required is decisive, science-backed, and community-inclusive action to preserve these fragile ecosystems before they are lost forever.