Former Supreme Court Judge Decries Massive Mangrove Destruction for Mumbai Coastal Road
Former Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay Oka has expressed profound concern over the proposed felling of approximately 45,000 mangroves for the Versova-Bhayander coastal road project in Mumbai, describing the scale of destruction as staggering. He emphasized that an independent environmental assessment could have significantly reduced the ecological damage caused by this large-scale diversion.
Call for Independent Scrutiny and Judicial Oversight
Justice Oka, renowned for his landmark 2018 ruling that recognized mangroves as integral to citizens' fundamental rights, stated that courts should have mandated deeper, independent scrutiny before granting permission for such extensive ecological disruption. "Had there been an independent assessment, the number of mangroves to be cut could have been brought down," he remarked during the 45th JP Memorial Lecture organized by the People's Union for Civil Liberties at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh on Monday evening.
His comments come amid escalating concerns over the clearances provided by the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court for the project. Environmental activists and fishing communities have consistently warned about the long-term ecological consequences, arguing that the loss of mangroves—critical natural buffers—could exacerbate flood risks, coastal erosion, and climate-related shocks in Mumbai.
Inadequate Compensation and Ecological Irreplaceability
Responding to a query from the NatConnect Foundation regarding compensatory afforestation, Justice Oka highlighted that plantation efforts must ideally occur within the same ecological zone where the loss takes place. Current practices, which often allow plantations in distant districts like Jalna or Chandrapur, fail to replicate the specific coastal functions performed by mangroves. This underscores the severe limitations of compensation measures in mitigating such ecological damage.
The NatConnect Foundation has termed this situation "Mumbai's Aravalli moment" and has approached the Chief Justice of India seeking a review of the ruling permitting mangrove diversion. They cited the Supreme Court's earlier reconsideration of the Aravalli case as a precedent. In its representation, NatConnect clarified that it is not opposed to infrastructure development but argued that the destruction of mangroves could irreversibly heighten Mumbai's vulnerability to flooding and climate shocks.
Urgent Appeals for Review and Alternative Solutions
With the Chief Justice of India recently encouraging constructive feedback on court rulings, NatConnect emphasized that this transparency strengthens the case for a judicial review. The foundation urged the court to order an independent reassessment of the coastal road project, incorporating current climate science and cumulative ecological risks. It also suggested exploring alternative alignments or elevated road designs to minimize environmental damage.
Environmentalists have pointed out that global warnings about rising sea levels are being overlooked, despite civic acknowledgments that several parts of Mumbai face submergence risks. They referenced the catastrophic July 26, 2005, floods as a stark reminder of the city's vulnerability, noting that lessons from that event remain only partially implemented. Questions have also been raised about past planning decisions, such as the development of the Bandra-Kurla Complex on reclaimed, mangrove-rich land.
Climate Reality and Long-Term Resilience
The NatConnect letter to the Chief Justice of India stressed that climate stress is no longer a distant threat but an unfolding reality marked by recurrent flooding and coastal strain. "What is being erased today may return as a crisis tomorrow," it stated, advocating for development approaches that do not compromise long-term resilience. The foundation reiterated that such ecological loss is irreversible and cannot be meaningfully compensated elsewhere, calling for a balanced approach that prioritizes both progress and environmental preservation.
