The Experts Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Union ministry of environment and forests today visited some of the villages around Navi Mumbai that are likely to be affected due to the proposed international airport.
The committee led by Naresh Dayal observed the status of mangroves spread over 160 hectares, as well as the flow of Ulwe and Gadhi, rivers whose diversion is necessary if the airport is set up.
The EAC members had agreed that existing mangroves were required to be protected for environmental and ecological considerations of Panvel, Navi Mumbai and adjoining areas. The destruction, as proposed, would cause permanent environmental damage to this region and cannot be compensated.
An official of the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco), who was accompanying the visiting EAC members, told Business Standard: “They saw the present status of mangroves whose growth is stunted. We explained that the removal of mangrove, cover will not have any major adverse impact on the environment. We reiterated that Cidco will replant mangrove on 350 hectares in Dahanu.”
Cidco is a nodal agency of the Maharashtra government for the airport project. EAC has initially opposed Cidco’s proposal to divert Ulwe and Gadhi rivers. The EAC members, who would hold talks with the officials of Cidco and the state government on Thursday and Friday, asked whether the diversion could be averted or minimised.
