Navi Mumbai: Is Urbanisation Taking Over The Scenic Beauty?

Everything comes at a cost. This is true of Navi Mumbai where urbanisation is coming at the cost of the satellite city's natural surroundings and the green cover. It has become a destination for Mumbaikars as a weekend getaway. But, the pace at which construction is taking place in this city, the chances of it remaining a weekend getaway are grim.

Here's how the construction activities are impacting the natural beauty of Navi Mumbai:

Rising air pollution

Navi Mumbai residents recently filed a plea against quarrying in Parsik Hill causing a rise in the air pollution levels. Local residents tied up with environmentalists and non-governmental organisations and used online platforms to start a campaign to save the hill. The online activism gained momentum as the petitioners approached National Green Tribunal to stop mining on the hill. While some of the environmentalists suggest that Parsik Hill can be a tourist attraction for adventure sports and picnic, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change have granted mining rights in Parsik Hills for 20 years from 2006 till 2026. This has caused a further destruction of the environment and rising pollution levels for residents living in proximity.

Encroachment in Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)

Not just the hills, the shoreline near the city is under threat from land sharks who are involved in violating the coastal regulation norms. Land has been acquired to construction residential complexes and apartments here are being sold at a premium with sea view being the USP. So far over 100 building in Navi Mumbai lack CRZ approval and might face action from the government. However, if regularised, these can be a huge source of taxes and penalties ultimately increasing the state revenue by manifolds.

The impact on the nature

As the majority of the development is taking place by replacing the green cover. Residents have even complained about the sighting of wild animals in the residential areas. Recently, residents of Sanpada complained of crocodile sighting in the drainage channel passing through areas. Earlier home buyers from Sector 9, 10 and 11 cited the wild in the water and raised a complaint with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC). Snakes are also a common sight posing a danger to human life.

The government's move

Though the development plan drafted by the NMMC has been planned to promote environment protection with reserved green expanse to ensure Navi Mumbai does not turn into a concrete jungle, the implementation remains a concern. While the illegal encroachments have been a major concern and CIDCO is taking an apt step to curb the growing construction spree, the planning agency needs to ensure that the essence of the region is not lost to land grabbers.