Thane's Chena River Banks Under Threat: Greens Cry Foul Over 'Beautification' Project

There’s a real storm brewing in Thane, right along the picturesque yet ecologically vital Chena River banks. Environmentalists are absolutely furious, and honestly, you can understand why. They're pointing fingers squarely at a so-called 'beautification' project spearheaded by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Pratap Sarnaik, claiming it’s nothing short of an ecological disaster in the making.

Picture this: Construction debris, just piles and piles of it, being dumped right into the heart of what should be a protected natural space. Then, to make matters worse, these crucial riverbanks, the very mudflats and mangrove areas that are a lifeline for local biodiversity, are being paved over with concrete. It's happening near the Chena Creek stretch, close to Ghodbunder Road, and the greens are calling it out for what they believe it is: a blatant violation of almost every environmental law in the book.

Groups like the Paryavaran Dakshta Manch and Vanashakti are leading the charge, and they aren't mincing words. They’ve been documenting the destruction, highlighting how this activity is directly encroaching upon and damaging wetlands and mangroves – crucial natural buffers that protect us from floods and support a vibrant ecosystem. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about the very resilience of the region.

Shedding more light on the situation, Rohit Joshi from Paryavaran Dakshta Manch explained to reporters that this isn't just a minor oversight. They've personally witnessed excavators and trucks, day in and day out, engaged in filling the river banks with debris and then cementing over the natural ground. It’s an alarming trend, one that flies in the face of established Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, Wetland Rules, and the Coastal Zone Management Plan. These aren't suggestions; they're legal mandates designed to protect such sensitive areas.

The activists haven't just been standing by; they've been busy. They’ve fired off urgent letters to everyone who should be paying attention: the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the Thane Collector, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), and the District Coastal Zone Monitoring Committee (DCZMC). Their demand is crystal clear: issue a stop-work order immediately and take decisive action against those responsible for this environmental degradation. They even included photographic evidence to back up their claims – hard to argue with that, you’d think.

Of course, there’s another side to every story, and MLA Pratap Sarnaik offers his defense. He insists that this project is purely for the public good, aimed at beautifying the creek and constructing a much-needed jogging track. He maintains that all necessary permissions are in place. And as for the debris? He denies dumping 'construction debris,' preferring the term 'muck' for the material being used. It's an interesting distinction, to say the least, especially when viewed through the lens of ecological impact.

It's worth remembering, too, that this isn't the first time this particular area has been at the center of environmental scrutiny. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has previously stepped in, issuing orders for the restoration of wetlands in this very region. And let's not forget, the High Court has consistently taken a tough stance against activities that damage such vital ecosystems. So, the legal precedent is firmly established. The question now is whether the authorities will heed the urgent calls of the environmentalists and put an immediate stop to what many are calling a disastrous path forward for the Chena River.