Mumbai: Green voices sound alarm bells on CM Shinde’s plan for salt pan lands

Environmentalists say development of salt pan lands would be disastrous for the city. File pic/NImesh Dave

Environmentalists are not happy with Chief Minister Ekanth Shinde's plan to develop salt pan lands in the city for public use. They claim that if there was any construction on salt pans, it would create a disastrous situation for the city as well as the environment.

In the meeting held on Thursday at Varsungae idea of constructing on salt pans would be disastrous in every way. Explaining further, he said, "Salt pans work as a buffer between land and the sea. High tide water can't enha Blow, CM Shinde ordered state and civic officials to explore the possibility of using salt pan lands for public purposes. According to environmentalist Anand Pendharkar, thter the city thanks to the salt pans. They also act as water-holding areas during the monsoon, which prevents waterlogging in some parts of the city. The move could result in a rise in the saline water levels in the city's groundwater, and as these salt pans are surrounded by mangroves, any development will be the end of mangroves and the ecosystem."

Rohit Joshi, another environmentalist, expressed fear that this decision could create issues in the city. "If these salt pans are developed, waterlogging issues will increase in the city as rainwater will not naturally flow to the creek. Also, these salt pans hold rich biodiversity and aquatic life which will be destroyed," Joshi said.

According to available data, there are around 5,500 acres of salt pan lands, with most of it coming under the non-development zone. Salt pans are mainly located between Mulund to Kanjurmarg and at Ghatkopar, Trombay, Mandale, Turbhe, Wadala, Malvani and Dahisar. In the Development Plan 2034 for the city, prepared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), there is a suggestion to develop salt pan lands for affordable housing.

5,500
Area of salt pan lands in acres