Kharghar: Mangrove Cell and the Forest Department will conduct a site inspection of mangrove areas following complaints of debris dumping in sector 10 Kharghar. The inspection is scheduled for June 14, a resident of sector 10 said.

Residents of sector 10, which skirts the mangrove area, claim the debris dumping and encroachment of the mangrove areas has been rampant and continuing for some time.

Even as encroachment continues, the mangroves are caught in bureaucratic red-tape with Mangrove Cell and forest department refusing to intervene claiming the land had not been transferred by CIDCO. “The forest department officials had expressed their inability in the absence of CIDCO transferring the land,” a resident, who had lodged complaints regarding the encroachment, said.

“The encroachers have filled the area with earth and even built room on the land. The illegal structure acts as an opium den for the locals. The place is strewn with alcohol bottles, cigarette packets, plastic of all kind,” a resident shared on condition of anonymity.

Initially, residents claim, they thought the debris was being dumped for the construction of the coastal road project. “The fear of reprisals and violence has stopped the residents from publicly opposing the debris dumping,” a concerned citizen said.