Concerns are mounting over the precarious state of the mangrove ecosystem in Sector 17, Kharghar, as miscreants have obstructed the flow of tidal water in the area's creek. Environmental activists have sounded the alarm, highlighting the detrimental impact of this blockade on the delicate balance of the mangrove habitat.

In recent days, the flow of tidal water into the creek at Sector 17 has been severely restricted, leading to rapid drying of the channel passing through the mangrove area. The combination of deliberate blockages and intensified summer heat poses an existential threat to the ecosystem, with healthy mangroves now facing decay.

Seema Tank, an Animal Welfare Officer and prominent environmental activist in Kharghar, took decisive action by filing a complaint on May 1, 2024, with the Mangrove Redressal Grievance Cell through the Mangrove Suraksha App (complaint ID 205). Tank had initially noticed the issue in March 2024 and diligently reported it to relevant authorities, including the Mangrove Cell Forest Department, BNHS, Panvel Municipal Corporation, and CIDCO.

Tank emphasized the critical importance of the tidal water flow to sustain the extensive mangrove belt in the area. The blockade, orchestrated by unidentified miscreants, not only disrupts the ecological balance but also jeopardizes the imminent arrival of the monsoon season. The vibrant ecosystem, teeming with aquatic life, local wildlife, and migratory birds, now faces a grave peril.

Once a haven for birdwatchers, attracting a diverse array of migratory birds such as Cinnamon Bittern, Purple Heron, and Common Kingfisher, the area has witnessed a stark decline in avian visitors due to the drying channel. Tank, upon personally inspecting the blockade, expressed suspicions of deliberate sabotage by locals for their own interests.

The lack of prompt action by authorities has drawn sharp criticism from environmental activists, who lament the neglect of this vital habitat. Tank raised concerns over the failure to transfer jurisdiction to the Forest Department despite repeated requests.