Thane Coastal Road-2: Environmentalists Oppose Proposed Felling Of 680 Mangroves Near Ramsar-Listed Flamingo Sanctuary

Environmental advocates are opposing the proposed deforestation of approximately 680 mangroves for the construction of the Thane Coastal Road-2, which is set to encroach upon roughly 1.7 hectares within the ecologically delicate Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, a Ramsar-listed wetland. The NatConnect Foundation has petitioned the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to intervene and avert the destruction of these mangroves, urging decision-makers to reconsider the road's route and investigate alternative designs that would minimize ecological harm.

"What is the point of receiving a Ramsar designation if we are unable to safeguard the wetland?" questioned NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar, emphasizing the necessity of protecting the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary prior to any further project development. The proposed 7.129-kilometer road aims to link Anand Nagar in Mulund East with Balkum in Thane.

The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) has supposedly endorsed the proposal for additional clearance, with about 680 mangroves slated to be permanently eradicated over a stretch of approximately 1.7 hectares. NatConnect has urged the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) to initiate a new evaluation of the alignment and guarantee a thorough examination of viable alternatives before the project gains further approvals.

Concerns have been raised concerning the conservation of wetlands, with the foundation asserting that while India has gained international recognition for its wetlands under the Ramsar Convention, this accolade must be translated into tangible protection measures. Nandakumar Pawar, director of Sagar Shakti, highlighted that mangroves function as a natural buffer for coastal communities and play a crucial role in preserving the health of wetland ecosystems.

Activists are demanding the exploration of alternative routes, asserting that the felling of hundreds of mangroves for a road cannot be deemed a routine matter. They argue that mangroves safeguard the coast, promote biodiversity, and serve as a habitat for wildlife. The sanctity of a Ramsar site must be upheld, and all feasible alternatives must be meticulously considered before permitting such destruction.

Environmentalists have repeatedly underscored the role of mangroves in mitigating coastal erosion, absorbing wave energy, supporting marine life, and aiding coastal areas in confronting climate-related risks. They have cautioned that replanting saplings elsewhere cannot adequately substitute for the loss of mature mangroves and the interlinked habitats they sustain.

NatConnect has clarified that it is not opposed to infrastructure development but maintains that projects must be orchestrated with heightened environmental sensitivity, especially when they impact internationally recognized wetlands. The foundation has urged the Prime Minister and the relevant authorities to ensure that the Ramsar status of Thane Creek translates into substantial protection, urging them to reassess the proposed alignment before consenting to the loss of mangroves.