The Bombay High Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to restore the Kanjurmarg dumping ground into a protected mangrove forest within three months.
The order came during a hearing on a 2007 contempt petition filed by NGO Vanshakti. The court noted that the area had been declared a reserved forest in 2005.
No More Excuses
The court pulled up BMC for failing to comply with past orders. It stated that time and again, directions were ignored and garbage continued to be dumped.
The bench observed that protecting mangroves is not optional. Despite multiple chances, the civic body had not acted. Now, the court wants results, not reports.
Action Timeline Set
The High Court ordered:
- Immediate stoppage of dumping
- Full restoration within 3 months
- Regular updates from the authorities
If BMC fails, the court warned it will take serious legal action.
NGO’s Long Fight Pays Off
The petition by Vanshakti alleged large-scale environmental violations. It cited illegal dumping, destruction of mangroves, and breach of past rulings.
The court acknowledged the NGO’s sustained efforts. It confirmed that the land in question is forest land and must be protected as such.
