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dna has been highlighting the issue of destruction of mangroves on a private plot adjacent to Saraswati complex in Anand Nagar, Dahisar East. Lokayukta justice (retired) ML Tahaliyani on
Friday takes stock of the destroyed Dahisar mangrove, where luxury buses (right) are parked illegally In a major victory for mangrove activists and elected representatives from Dahisar, who
have been highlighting the lackadaisical attitude of authorities including the police, in cracking down on those destroying mangroves, state Lokayukta justice (retired) ML Tahaliyani on
Friday evening inspected the site. dna has been highlighting the issue of destruction of mangroves on a private plot adjacent to Saraswati complex in Anand Nagar, Dahisar East. As per
activists who have been fighting to save the dense patch here, initially, the land was barricaded and debris was dumped over two years. Recently, the plot was used as bus parking, when
irritated locals decided to hold an agitation on May 5 and got the buses removed. Activist Harish Pandey, who has been the first to rake this issue, highlighted the apathy of the police who
took over six months to register an FIR in the case. "This case is a glaring example of how the police simply refused to file a case and crack a whip in spite of regular reminders from
our forum as well as the BMC, and while they delayed in taking action mangroves kept getting destroyed," he said, adding that now with the Lokayukta himself seeing the ground situation
they were hopeful of a strict order being issued that will help to save the site. "In November 2015, after being made to wait for three hours, the Dahisar police agreed to register an
FIR against the developer for mangrove destruction, and yet hardly any action was taken. This month again we fought against illegal tourist bus parking," said Sheetal Mhatre, local
councillor, adding that tired of no action they approached the Lokayukta who agreed to visit the site. Tahaliyani, who inspected the site for over half an hour, asking officials from the
BMC, the police as well as the tehsildar questions pertaining to the land records, even himself seemed surprised by the manner of dumping and destruction of mangroves. "I have visited
the site and will be holding a detailed meeting with various officials based on which a detailed report will be prepared, which will be made public. Before that I would not like to comment
on anything," he told dna. Former mayor and councillor Shubha Raul, who too was present during the visit, said that be it the BMC, the police or the tehsildar office, everyone has been
just passing the buck. "What about the large tracts of mangroves that have been destroyed completely? Who will now ensure that this site is cleared of all the debris and mangroves are
rejuvenated?" she questioned, adding that they will also demand that not only the developer be made to pay the entire expenditure incurred in the restoration of the site, but he be
heavily penalised as well. Meanwhile, BMC officials said they will discuss with the police as well as the tehsildar's office how they can seize the containers and other things left at
the site as well as come up with a plan to remove debris.