Sena demands heritage status for mangroves

Two senior Shiv Sena corporators, former mayor Shubha Raul and senior Sena member Sheetal Mhatre are demanding that all mangroves in the city be given a National Natural Heritage status and funds be allotted for the protection of the same.

Mangroves are depleting due to the construction of buildings. File Pic

The mangroves in the city are depleting fast thanks to the residences and offices that are coming up. In Gorai, Borivli and Dahisar, illegal encroachments have also caused depletion of mangroves.

But now the trees have found saviors in two Shiv Sena corporators. Mhatre, in fact, has been given Rs 15 lakh from the Mayor's fund to create awareness about and for the protection of the mangroves in the Dahisar area.

Former Mumbai mayor and the party's standing committee chairman Raul said, "This is a very important proposal and I expect it to be passed. A national natural heritage site status would increase the importance of mangroves, forcing different civic bodies to pay more attention to the plight of mangroves. Where there is natural carbon credits available, why waste money creating greenery by converting dumping grounds into green zones?" she asked.

Mhatre who is also a corporator from Dahisar east, said, "I had proposed a mangroves protection and awareness centre in the city and the mayor has given me Rs 15 lakh to build this centre. We would invite experts to talk about the importance of mangroves," she said.