Nerul: About 1200 kg of non-biodegradable waste was removed from the Sarsole, Nerul mangroves on July 26 by the cleanup soldiers. Mangroves that serve as a protection of the city coastline act as a buffer and save it from flooding during heavy rains, or calamities like tsunamis. However, they usually go unattended by the citizens to the homes they safeguard.   

“Citizens often dump plastic, footwear, and even medical waste into creeks, which end up in mangroves. This blocks the breathing roots, causing mangrove death,” said environment activist Rekha Sankhala.

Vanashakti Foundation, along with Rotary Clubs of Navi Mumbai, undertook a massive mangrove cleanup drive on July 26 to mark the International Day for Conservation of Mangrove. Four beat officers and 15 Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) Jawans from the Department of Forest supported the collection of trash. Dhananjay Sarkar, President of the Rotary Club New Bombay Seaside, said, “Protecting our mangroves is not just an environmental responsibility—it’s a commitment to the future of our coastline, biodiversity, and community.”

Stalin Dayanand, Director of Vanashakti, said, “Despite a decade of appeals and court battles, the state government agencies steadfastly refuse to install nets in the drains that would have prevented the garbage from reaching the coastal zones.” The Founder of Save Navi Mumbai Environment Group, Sri Sunil Agarwal, said, “CIDCO doesn’t recognize any mangroves or wetlands here, now it has started allotment of lands ignoring all environment laws and judgments.”

Navi Mumbai is surrounded by 1285 hectares of mangrove area spread across Ghonsoli, Koperkhairane, Vashi, Nerul, and Belapur.