Maharashtra's Green Guardians in Peril: 11,000 Hectares of Mangroves Await Crucial Protection

A silent ecological crisis is unfolding across Maharashtra, where an astounding 11,000 hectares of vital mangrove forests stand on the precipice, desperately awaiting the 'reserved forest' status that could secure their future. Despite a resounding mandate from the Bombay High Court in 2018 to safeguard all mangroves in the state, a significant portion of these irreplaceable ecosystems remains in bureaucratic limbo, vulnerable to relentless destruction and encroachment.

For years, environmentalists and conservationists have tirelessly championed the cause of mangroves, recognizing their indispensable role as natural coastal defenders, biodiversity hotspots, and carbon sinks.

Yet, the state government's proposal, initiated by the Forest Department in 2021, to officially declare these 11,000 hectares as reserved forests continues to gather dust. This critical delay leaves a gaping hole in the state's environmental protection efforts, exposing these precious habitats to a myriad of threats.

The journey to full protection is fraught with complex challenges.

Officials cite a labyrinth of issues, including fragmented land ownership involving private entities, salt pan leaseholders, port trusts, and CIDCO. The daunting task of conducting comprehensive land surveys for such vast and diverse parcels of land, coupled with an acute shortage of staff within the Forest Department, further exacerbates the situation.

Adding to the complexity are instances of local resistance, often fueled by conflicting land use interests.

While the state's Mangrove Cell has achieved commendable success, already transferring over 14,000 hectares of mangroves to the Forest Department for robust protection, the remaining 11,000 hectares represent a significant and worrying bottleneck.

This delay is not merely administrative; it has tangible and devastating consequences on the ground, with reports of continued illegal dumping of debris, rampant encroachment for construction, and unchecked degradation of these fragile ecosystems.

Conservationists are increasingly vocal about their concerns, emphasizing that every day of delay means another day these invaluable natural assets are exposed to irreversible damage.

The unique ecological services provided by mangroves – from protecting coastlines against tsunamis and storm surges, to serving as nurseries for marine life and absorbing vast quantities of carbon dioxide – underscore the urgent need for decisive action. The fate of Maharashtra's green guardians hangs in the balance, a stark reminder that environmental protection demands swift and unwavering commitment, not just proposals.