Kharghar: Forest department personnel today inspected mangroves in Kharghar following complaints of debris dumping and destruction close to sector 10 in the node. While the officials took note of tell-tale signs of debris dumping, they claimed inability to act against the violators as the ownership of the land first needed to be ascertained, whether it was owned by CIDCO, forest or revenue department.

A walk through the area reveals a sustained campaign to destroy the mangroves. Mounds upon mounds of construction waste can be seen dumped. Residents claim large patches of the mangrove forests have been cleared and an open ground has been created with debris dumped over the years.

What remains of the mangroves provides perfect cover to anti-social elements to carry out their illegal activities. “As dusk falls, the area thrives with activity,” a resident of sector 10 said.  

A walk into the mangrove cluster reveals concerted efforts to dam the flow of the water. With the flow stemmed, a good number of mangrove trees have died and the area has been cleared.

The attempts to dam the creek goes deep into the mangrove thicket. While a sluice gate has been created with brick work, deep inside earth-filled cement bags have been placed to stem the flow of water.

A posse of forest department officials led by Surendra Patil visited the mangrove area opposite to sector 10 in Kharghar. “We have taken the GPS coordinates of the area. We will first ascertain whether the land is with the forest department or CIDCO,” Santosh Pawar, beat officer, Panvel, said.

However, it is surprising as the forest department had conducted a similar survey in the past. “For all practical reasons they are dilly-dallying as the government agencies do not want to intervene. They are just passing the buck,” a sector 10 resident said.

Forest officials claim it will take a couple of months to ascertain the ownership of the land and submit their report.