Dumping in buffer zone near mangroves illegal, Bombay High Court tells TMC

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has unequivocally told the Thane Municipal Corporation authorities that ‘‘dumping in the buffer zone is illegal.’’ The division bench of justices AS Oka and PN Deshmukh further demanded from the TMC officials “a written undertaking that they will ensure no waste is dumped in the buffer zones, which are 50 metres away from mangroves. Else, they will have to face serious consequences.”

The court asked the civic body to manage its waste better, keeping in mind the burgeoning population. The court further observed that if this was not done, then the court will be forced to clamp a ban on all new construction even in Thane. The TMC had filed an affidavit in the court on Wednesday assuring that the needful will be done but the court slammed the officials saying it was not sufficient. The court was hearing a PIL filed by a local body in Thane, Gavdevi Mitra Mandal, which has challenged the illegal dumping that could endanger the mangroves.

The petitioner alleged that this was the modus operandi of the developers for grabbing land. The petition states that once dumping begins in a buffer zone or near the mangroves, it is later encroached upon by developers who snatch these patches. They also produced photographs as evidence, which the petitioner presented to the court. The bench stated that it will give detailed instructions on January 23, the date of the next hearing. In 2016, the Bombay high court had banned all new construction as BMC failed to submit plans showing new places for dumping waste.