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Time of India
02-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
DPS, NRI, TS Chanakya Wetlands Safe Under Amended NMMC Development Plan
Navi Mumbai: Environmental activists are pleased that three significant wetlands—DPS Flamingo Lake, NRI, and TS Chanakya water bodies at Nerul in Navi Mumbai—remain protected according to the revised Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) draft Development Plan. These wetlands are mentioned in the govt gazette, which is out inviting suggestions and objections before the final approval. The previous draft designated these three locations as water bodies in blue. However, CIDCO had different plans, marking DPS Lake for development, NRI Waterbody for a golf course, and TS Chanakya wetland as a residential area. The state urban development department's recent notification states that suggestions and objections must be submitted by August 23. NatConnect Foundation has initiated a campaign to gather suggestions supporting the wetland status of these crucial water bodies, whilst welcoming the amendments to secure final govt approval. Navi Mumbai spans across Thane and Raigad districts. NMMC oversees the Thane district portion from Dighe to Belapur. Environmentalists opposed CIDCO's decision to retain management of these wetlands whilst transferring other lands to NMMC. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How to Ease Knee Pain Without Injections or Side Effects Learn More Undo The state govt has designated DPS Flamingo Lake as a Conservation Reserve, with the gazette order pending. NatConnect Director B N Kumar welcomed the protection of the three major wetlands. He urged the state govt to officially designate them as wetlands, including Lotus Lake at Sector-27, Nerul, which CIDCO marked as Plot-2 for residential development. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Activist Sunil Agarwal has appreciated NMMC's effort to include these wetlands in the new DP but keeps his fingers crossed while waiting for final sanction. Another activist, Rekha Sankhla, who also fought for the wetland status of these water bodies, said half the battle is won and the final assault is yet to come. These wetlands, listed in the National Wetland Inventory Atlas, have been documented by the National Centre for Coastal Management (NCSCM) as per State Environment Department requirements. Their notification is pending, according to information obtained through the RTI Act. NMMC proposed maintaining these wetlands as flamingo habitats and eco-tourism sites, but CIDCO hasn't responded. The amendments maintain the ongoing real estate development at Sector-60, adjacent to the NRI wetland, as a residential zone. The Bombay High Court nullified the residential-cum-commercial project and golf course in November 2018, but CIDCO's appeal in the Supreme Court awaits hearing. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
25-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Environmentalists seek stay on Jayakwadi solar project pending SC decision on wetland rules
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Environmentalists have sought a stay on the forthcoming floating solar power project at the Jayakwadi dam pending clearance of wetland conservation rules by the Supreme Court . Yash Netke, an environmentalist from Nagpur, addressed a letter to the irrigation department and other authorities, saying that the Jayakwadi dam qualifies as a wetland according to the National Wetland Inventory Atlas mapped by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro). Netke said several significant petitions concerning wetland protection and encroachment are pending before the Apex Court. "Any project affecting wetlands must comply with judicial mandates, and it will be premature to go ahead with the floating solar project at the Jayakwadi sam until the verdict in these matters, including possible framing of wetland protection rules, is out," he said. Netke added the Supreme Court, in a ruling dated Dec 11 2024, in one of the cases, mandated the formation of a wetland committee by states to conduct ground truthing and reiterated that the list of wetland inventories as per Isro mapping should receive protection under the wetland rules. On April 1, the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) approved the solar project at Jayakwadi, which also hosts a bird sanctuary. According to SBWL meeting minutes, the project includes high-density polyethylene floats, photovoltaic panels, and an anchoring mechanism using concrete blocks, among other components. "Given that these installations are permanent, especially concrete anchoring in the reservoir, and that solar projects fall under industrial activity, the project proponents must seek explicit permission from the Supreme Court, considering ongoing wetland litigations. Authorities must comply with the Wetland Rules, 2017, which prohibit such interventions of a permanent nature in the major wetland in the form of the Jayakwadi dam," Netke said. Kishor Pathak, the honorary wildlife warden for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, said state and central govts are advocating for the solar plant at Jayakwadi at the expense of the notified wetland. "Marathwada has ample land available at different places where the solar project can be raised. It will be a blatant and brazen violation of different govt laws if the project takes shape at the wetland and bird sanctuary at the Jayakwadi dam," he said. Recently, the fishermen community waged an unsuccessful battle in the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court against the proposed solar plant. Fishermen fear the loss of their livelihood as they oppose the project.
