Maharashtra Government Acts to Protect and Preserve Mangroves

Mumbai, Jul 4 (PTI) Action is set to be initiated to halt the ongoing destruction of Maharashtra's mangrove forests, with the government contemplating offering carbon credits for the preservation of mangroves located on private properties. This announcement was made on Friday.

The topic of threats to coastal mangrove forests was brought to attention in the legislative assembly through a query by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav.

Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, during the Question Hour, stated that a survey spanning from the Gujarat border to Goa is currently underway, aiming to offer precise data regarding the area covered by mangroves.

"CCTV cameras will be installed to safeguard the mangrove forests in Palghar district," Naik declared. "Officials from the Forest, Revenue, and Home departments are tasked to patrol these regions alternately. Should any Mumbai construction debris be caught being dumped in mangrove regions, immediate legal action will follow."

Environment Minister Pankaja Munde conveyed the government's favorable stance towards awarding carbon credits to owners who safeguard mangroves on private lands.

In response to a question posed by BJP MLA Sneha Dubey concerning encroachments on mangrove forests in Palghar, Munde assured that stringent legal measures are planned. She noted that legal proceedings have been instigated in 19 separate cases to date.

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