The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has prohibited CIDCO, the planning authority for Navi Mumbai, from leasing a 25,000 sq.m. plot near the NRI Colony at Seawoods in Nerul for development. This decision follows protests by local residents and activists opposing CIDCO's auction plans for the environmentally sensitive area. NGT's order prohibits construction in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) areas so as to preserve the ecology and habitats, including mangroves and flamingo roosting sites. The ruling allowed designation of a part of the plot for a garden and social facilities.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken a decisive stand by prohibiting the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the planning authority for Navi Mumbai, from leasing a 25,000 sq m plot adjacent to the NRI Colony at Seawoods in Nerul for development. The NGT's order came in response to two applications—one by the Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society (NMEPS) and another by a group of six city residents—seeking to halt the auction for residential and commercial buildings. The main concern raised was that the plot falls under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ).
Advocates Zaman Ali and Meennaz Kakalia, representing the petitioners, highlighted that approximately two-thirds of Plot 2A in Nerul sector 54-56-58, as described in the CIDCO tender documents, falls under CRZ 1 (no construction) and CRZ 2 (construction with several curbs). The NGT's western zonal bench suggested allocating a small part of the plot outside CRZ for a garden and social facilities, aligning with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation's (NMMC) 2020 Development Plan awaiting government approval.
NMEPS emphasized that the plot is designated as a 'No Development Zone' under the DP of 2011 and 2020, situated on the seaward side of the existing road. The wetlands surrounding the plot are crucial for thousands of Greater flamingos for roosting. Greater flamingos are protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act and any construction in this area could seriously impact the ecology and flight path of these migratory birds. Notably, a thick patch of mangroves, including parts within the mangrove buffer zone, is in close proximity to the plot.
After hearing all parties, including CIDCO, the NGT bench, comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and Dr. Vijay Kulkarni, halted the auction and mandated that construction should be confined to non-CRZ areas.
CIDCO, awaiting the formal receipt of the NGT order, refrained from commenting initially. NatConnect Foundation, an early advocate on the issue, welcomed the NGT ruling as a significant development. The six petitioners expressed satisfaction with the verdict, highlighting the importance of preserving ecologically sensitive areas.
The NGT's decision signifies a crucial win for environmental conservation, restricting construction activities in ecologically delicate zones. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to coastal regulations and the need to balance development with environmental preservation. The allocation of a portion of the plot for green spaces and social facilities aligns with sustainable urban planning principles. This ruling, thus, sets a precedent for responsible development practices, considering the ecological impact and protecting vital habitats.
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