Our Victories:
Through concerted and persistent effort over a period of years, NMEPS managed to preserve the Seawoods Lake (also known as the DPS Lake).
With CIDCO claiming that the lake is nothing but a ‘low lying area where rainwater fills up’ and earmarking the lake for reclamation and development of high rise buildings, NMEPS protested and presented their case all the way till the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority, the Ministry of Urban Development, and eventually to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra himself.
Our perseverance paid off and we have got a letter from the MCZMA confirming that the area is Eco-sensitive and staying any development on it.
It’s not over till it’s over though – the fight continues. We won’t stop until we have made sure the lake is absolutely safe. It is a great habitat for flamingos, egrets, cormorants, and many such species. It is also crucial to fishermen in the area, and of course to the mangroves that surround the lake on two sides.
Watch this space
Your Society will continue its activities on preservation of the environment and spreading the message to schools & housing societies in Navi Mumbai. The main activities planned during 2013-14 are:
1. File a PIL in Bombay High Court for removal of illegal structures in protected mangroves and stopping of debris dumping in lakes and wetlands of Navi Mumbai.
2. In order to have positive effect and reduce environment impact, it is proposed to start a “Green School” project in Navi Mumbai. The schools will actually measure and take steps to reduce water/energy consumptions, waste generation etc. It is proposed to recognize the best school as Green School.
3. Produce a wall calendar giving various environment and social conscious days in 2013-14.It is proposed to conduct activities on some of these days involving school children and neighboring housing societies of Navi Mumbai.
4. Your society is in the process of obtaining approval from Income Tax Department under 80G so that the donors get the tax benefit on their donations.