“We have been experiencing floods frequently, yet we do not realise the importance of protecting mangroves and wetlands,” said Pawar. The duo also highlighted the mangrove destruction across 4.5 hectares, home to 4,550 mangrove trees. However, concerned with reclamation activities underway at Panje, Bhendkhal and many other wetland patches, the duo said, this is just the beginning of relentless fight to conserve ecological hotspots at Uran. “After BKC [Bandra-Kurla Complex] floods and the recent floods at Kalyan, Badlapur and Uran this monsoon, it is clear that officials are behaving in a lackadaisical manner. In 2017, he joined Pawar to highlight environmental degradation in Uran and losses incurred by fishermen.

Source: Hindustan Times December 29, 2019 18:03 UTC