Navi Mumbai: A joint inspection conducted by officials from multiple departments has confirmed large-scale destruction of trees in a protected buffer zone, where any activity requires approval from the Bombay High Court. The inspection was conducted by officials from the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), CIDCO, Forest Department, and Maritime Board.

The inspection uncovered a large-scale illegal destruction of trees in Sector 52A, Nerul, Seawoods. The inspection confirmed that approximately 100 trees had been uprooted using JCBs and other heavy machinery without any official permission, confirmed the inspection report.

During the inspection, the NMMC verified the number of trees destroyed in the presence of all officials. NMMC’s officer stated that two JCB machines were seized, and a fine of Rs 60,000 was imposed on those responsible. The NMMC Garden Department, which serves as the tree authority, confirmed that no permission had been granted for tree cutting in the area.

The Mangrove Cell further verified that the destruction occurred in a restricted buffer zone, where any development is prohibited without prior approval. Meanwhile, City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) personnel provided details of the builder to whom the land had been allotted.

The affected site includes plots 3, 6, and 7, where trees such as Indhani, Bor, Elaichi, Chinch, Kashi, Subabhul, and Meshawak were destroyed, confirmed the report.

“According to CIDCO records, plot 3 was allocated at a rate of Rs 3.06 lakh per square meter, amounting to Rs 177 crore, with an additional Goods and Services Tax (GST) component bringing the total cost to over Rs 200 crore. The builder received the allotment letter only on March 5, and has so far paid an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of Rs 5 crore. The remaining Rs 172 crore plus GST is yet to be paid,” activist Sunil Agarwal said.

Forest Officer V.G. Bairagi from the Mangrove Cell confirmed that parts of the land fall within a protected mangrove buffer zone, where no activity is allowed without Bombay High Court approval. He further reported trees being illegally uprooted, violated the Bombay High Court’s order in PIL 87/06/2006, which safeguards mangrove areas.

Officials emphasized that the unauthorized destruction of trees is a serious offense, and environmental activists have called for strict legal action. In the report submitted by the Revenue Department, it has recommended that CIDCO should file a case against the culprits, as the illegal tree cutting was conducted without municipal or environmental clearance.

Agarwal further said, “Draft Development Plan of Navi Mumbai City was published by NMMC in August 2022. The Draft showed Sector 52A as a water body and no development was planned in this area. The residential and commercial development was proposed in sector 52A in the changes proposed by NMMC published in Govt. gazette on 23rd February 2024. We had put our objection and written to state government that Sector 52 A should be retained as mangroves, mangroves buffer zone and major carbon sink of Navi Mumbai. Not only this but whole area between DPS lake to NRI police station in Belapur including Sector 52 A should be retained as green zone since it is interspersed with branches of Thane Creek which feed to mangroves on the sides of the stream and the rest of the area is full of trees and birds.”

He confirmed that the changes are still to be approved by State Government but Cidco went ahead and auctioned three plots in Sector 52A. The same area is to be preserved as conservation reserve as per recommendation of Special committee appointed to look into death of flamingos in DPS lake area. “In view of above Cidco should withdraw its allotment of plots in sector 52 A, immediately without any delay,” greens demanded.