NAVI MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has given a seven-day ultimatum to the Raigad district collector to investigate potential environmental infractions at the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) multi-tower project in Kharghar. This directive follows a year of inaction on a previous order.
This requirement was initiated by a follow-up from the Union environment ministry and mandates the collector, who also leads the district coastal zone management committee (DCZMC), to assess compliance with necessary mangrove buffers and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) standards.
A letter from Vishal Madane, under secretary in the state environment department, has mandated a comprehensive investigation and report within seven days. This action is a result of recent complaints sent by the environmental group NatConnect to the Prime Minister’s Office.
NatConnect Director B N Kumar pointed out that the perimeter wall of the PMAY complex at Mansarovar and Kharghar is located only 8 to 25 meters from the mangroves, significantly shorter than the required 50-meter buffer. Additionally, the project’s environmental clearance necessitates a robust green barrier to protect the mangrove ecosystem. The complaint included satellite images and ground photographs illustrating construction near the mangrove line.
NatConnect cautioned that planners may have neglected to account for rising sea levels, which could endanger over 10,000 future residents and small businesses due to increased coastal risks. Experts warn that the project’s location near the natural high tide line may disrupt the natural hydrology.
“Constructing this close to the tideline disrupts coastal systems,” stated Jyoti Nadkarni, convenor of the Kharghar Hills and Wetlands Forum. She emphasized that constricting natural buffers could lead to unpredictable tidal water rebounds, increasing pressure on nearby communities. Nadkarni warned that with ongoing sea-level rise, encroaching on coastal areas is not merely an ecological issue; it poses significant flood risks for future residents.
During its 143rd meeting on February 4, 2020, the MCZMA acknowledged that portions of the PMAY project site are classified under CRZ-I, where any construction within the mangrove buffer is strictly prohibited, necessitating a minimum 100-meter setback from the creek. Environmentalists expressed disappointment that a previous reminder from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change did not elicit action at the district level. “This involves public funds and public safety,” stated NatConnect, offering to assist inspection teams in identifying violations.
