Centre asks Maha govt to probe Balaji temple plot allotment in CRZ

Mumbai: Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke in his Independence Day address about protecting the environment, a controversy has erupted over the allotment of a 10-acre plot for Tirupati Balaji Temple in Navi Mumbai.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Control (MOEFCC) asked for an inquiry into the allegations that coastal regulatory zone rules have been violated in the deal.

Talking to Bizz Buzz, Nandakumar Pawar, head of Shri Ekvira Aai Pratishtan, said: "The site, on the bank of Nhava Shewa creek, is being used as the casting yard for Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) and it happens to be a mangrove and a fishing area."

The Maharashtra government-owned CIDCO allocated the place to Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) for the MTHL project. The then environment and tourism minister Aditya Thackeray handed over the allotment letter to TTD Chairman Subba Reddy in April.

A vast stretch of mangroves have been destroyed in the name of the infrastructure project and it is high time the sea forest is restored. The intertidal water flow which has been blocked must be freed, environmentalists said.

Responding to an email from NatConnect Foundation, Dr H Kharkwal, Scientist 'E' (CRZ) at MOEFCC, asked the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) to "examine the nature and extent of alleged representations in respect of the all issues and submit reply to all applicants directly under a copy to this ministry."

Dr Khakwal also asked for action 'applicable with law' if the grievance is affirmative.

NatConnect director B N Kumar pointed that "even Gods, and all our Puranas speak of preserving nature." There is absolutely no objection to plots being allotted for religious purposes, but the CRZ rules must be respected, he said and requested the government to allot an alternative plot to Balaji Temple and save mangrove and fishing zones.

NatConnect also wrote to the Andhra Pradesh Government seeking their view on the environmental violation and destruction of God's creation in the name of God.

Kumar recalled that Modi keeps stressing on protecting nature. "We sincerely hope all violations will stop in this Amrit Kaal," the environmentalist said.

Pawar said this allotment happens at a time when Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has spoken on the importance of preserving mangroves for the protection of coastal areas.

"Both Pawar and Kumar also complained to the Centre and Chief Minister Eknah Shinde, who also holds the Environment portfolio. Mangroves were chopped in a very systematic way from 2015 without any official clearance from concerned authorities such as MOEFCC, MCZMA and the Bombay High Court, etc.," said Dilip Koli of Paramparik Machhimar Bachao Kruti Samiti.

The fishing community said their source of survival will be hit hard. Pawar and Kumar demanded that the inter-tidal water flow must be restored immediately to allow mangroves to grow on their own.