Mumbai's Salt Pans Under Threat: A Recipe for Disaster
The capture of salt pan lands across Mumbai spells disaster for the city's ecological balance and its residents, as it opens up the floodgates for development and destruction.
MumbaiSalt PansDharavi Redevelopment ProjectAdani Realty GroupMaharashtra GovernmentReal Estate LobbyEcological BalanceClimate ChangeFloodingReal Estate MumbaiSep 13, 2024
The salt pans, which cover an area of nearly 5,300 acres across the city, are crucial in preventing flooding and housing rich biodiversity. However, the real estate lobby has been eyeing these lands for decades, and the current decision has given them a free pass to develop these areas.
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project, which is being overseen by the Adani Realty Group and the Maharashtra government, has been accused of accumulating land far in excess of the existing slum land. The project has already acquired 64 acres of government land at Mulund, 17 acres at Bandra Kurla Complex, 45 acres of railway land, and nearly 200 acres at Deonar.
The total land accumulated by the project amounts to nearly 600 acres, which is as much as the land available in Dharavi itself. This has led to questions about why the developer needs twice the amount of land it is redeveloping. Opposition leaders have raised concerns about the project, but there have been no convincing answers forthcoming from the state government or the developer.
The destruction of salt pan lands will have severe consequences for the city, including increased flooding and loss of biodiversity. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has stated that salt pans protect the city from being swamped during high tide and serve as a drainage area during the monsoon. However, this report has been conveniently ignored by the authorities.
The amendment of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules in 2017 and the removal of salt pans from the highly restrictive CRZ-I category have paved the way for development in these areas. The Devendra Fadnavis-led government had also sought to transfer salt pan lands from the central list to the concurrent list, allowing the state to decide on their use.
The writing is clear for those who can connect the dots - the destruction of salt pan lands will sign the city's death warrant in heavy rain and floods. This is inexplicable at a time when the city is trying to operationalize its climate action plan.
The capture of salt pan lands is a classic case of the power elite pursuing development at the cost of the city's ecological balance. It is a recipe for disaster, and the consequences will be severe.
The question on everyone's mind is - how can we justify the destruction of Mumbai's ecological areas to the generations to come? How can we explain this in the ecological history of the city?
The answer lies in the fact that the city's power elite is more interested in pursuing development than in protecting the city's ecological balance. The real estate lobby has been eyeing salt pan lands for decades, and the current decision has given them a free pass to develop these areas.
The destruction of salt pan lands is a wake-up call for the city's residents. It is time for us to come together and demand that our elected representatives prioritize the city's ecological balance over development.The future of Mumbai depends on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dharavi Redevelopment Project?
The Dharavi Redevelopment Project is a joint venture between Adani Realty Group and the Maharashtra government to redevelop the Dharavi slum settlement in Mumbai.
Why is the destruction of salt pan lands a concern?
The destruction of salt pan lands will have severe consequences for the city, including increased flooding and loss of biodiversity.
What is the role of the real estate lobby in the destruction of salt pan lands?
The real estate lobby has been eyeing salt pan lands for decades, and the current decision has given them a free pass to develop these areas.
What can be done to stop the destruction of salt pan lands?
The city's residents need to come together and demand that their elected representatives prioritize the city's ecological balance over development.
What are the consequences of the destruction of salt pan lands?
The destruction of salt pan lands will sign the city's death warrant in heavy rain and floods, and will have severe consequences for the city's ecological balance.
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