Mira-Bhayandar :– A year after Advocate Irba Konapure filed a petition (original application number 76/2022) before the western zone bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), a high-level committee conducted an inspection of the controversial Seven Eleven Club site in Mira Road. The petition, registered on August 23, 2022, alleged significant violations and destruction of mangrove belts and wetlands for the construction of this ultra-luxurious recreation facility.
The club, situated on land parcels in the revenue village of Navghar, is owned by former BJP legislator Narendra Mehta. Mehta has consistently asserted that the construction adhered to all necessary sanctions and legal procedures. However, investigations into alleged environmental rule violations are ongoing.
The NGT bench, composed of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr. Vijay Kulkarni, constituted a high-level committee on September 19, 2022. This committee included the principal secretary of the state environment department, the principal chief conservator of forests, and representatives from the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) and the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC). Subsequently, the NGT engaged the services of the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) based in Chennai.
Following fresh directives from the NGT on August 16, 2023, the committee finally conducted its site inspection on Friday, August 18, 2023, in the presence of the petitioner. Notably, some of the facilities were reported to have been built on reclaimed mangrove forests and water bodies, raising concerns over potential environmental impact.
The NGT’s investigation into the alleged violations has gained momentum, with a series of FIRs filed against the club under relevant sections of the Environment Protection Act. However, the spotlight has also turned towards the state government and civic officials for granting permissions without adhering to mandated guidelines. The case is scheduled for a hearing on November 21, 2023.
This development highlights the ongoing tensions between development projects and environmental preservation, prompting a close examination of the regulatory processes involved.
