NAVI MUMBAI AIRPORT WILL CAUSE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE OVERVIEW The proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport is a new international airport, which is to come up at Kopra-Panvel area, is being built through public-private partnership (PPP) — with private sector partner getting 74% equity while Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Govt of Maharashtra (through City and Industrial Development Corporation or CIDCO) holding 13% each.
Objections 1.Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on the current proposed location of the Navi Mumbai International airport near Kopra-Panvel area, apparently because the construction of the airport would involve reclamation of low-lying areas in an ecologically fragile zone as well as destruction of several hectares of Mangroves. 2. Its construction would damage mangrove cultivation in the 2,000 hectares, besides the diversion of Gadhi and Ulwe rivers, which according to the Union Environment and Forests Ministry is a very serious issue considering the destruction Mumbai faced during the 26th July 2005 floods.
As a result of these new developments other locations were considered The original option of locating near Rewas Mandwa. The proposed airport site is centered around the region of Rewas and Mandwa near Alibaug, where the original proposal of second international airport existed on all regional development plans, and the location was commented to be the most fit and correct barring the excessive financial cost involved in building a sea-link/creek bridge over the Karanja Creek connecting Uran - JNPT area to the proposed airport at Rewas Mandwa.It is only at a distance of 20 nautical miles (37 km) by sea makes it an viable location. The other option of locating near Kalyan – Nevali The second option includes the one off village Newali near Kalyan-Ambernath 55 km away from the current airport in Mumbai. There exists an old and abandoned air-strip of World War II era and the Union Defence Ministry owns the 1,500 acres (6.
1 km2) of land on which it is located. The proposal was centered around those 1,500 acres (6. 1 km2) of land. Both options were later ruled out and the site was finalised at Panvel.
Q. 1. The mangroves act as holding ponds during high tides and floods.Where will this water go after the mangroves are reclaimed by huge heights of embankments. Mangrove forests are among the most productive terrestrial eco systems and are natural and are a renewable resource. Mangroves are not a marvel just for their adaptations but also for the significant role they play in our environment.
Importance of Mangroves 1. Mangrove ecosystem act as Buffer Zone between the land and sea. 2. Mangroves protect the coast against erosion due to wind, waves, water currents and protect coral reefs, sea-grass bed and shipping lanes against siltation. 3.
They are also known to absorb pollutants. . In mangrove areas water level is shallow , ideal place for growing of sea algae and for spawning for fish and marine animals 5. Purify the water by absorbing impurities and harmful heavy metals and help us to breathe a clean air by absorbing pollutants in the air. 6.
The tidal swamp is an ideal sanctuary for avifauna some of which are migratory 7. Mangrove forests are also important in terms of aesthetics and tourism. Benefits of Navi Mumbai Airport Project 1. Project opens-up the state’s vast hinterland rich in agriculture, floriculture, hi-tech high value industries to world market. .
Navi Mumbai is expected to absorb the future growth in population, business and commercial activity of the region. 3. The availability of physical and social infrastructure coupled with environmental friendly site with minimum resettlement and rehabilitation makes the Navi Mumbai airport project technically and financially viable. 4. The growth in resident population in Navi Mumbai, rapid development of its Central Business District, coupled with economic activities such as Special Economic Zone, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Thane-Belapur and Taloja industrial areas and the huge catchment rea ranging from Pune to South Mumbai would assure a steady growth rate in traffic at the new airport, thus assuring steady revenues to the investors. 5.
It act as a focal point for emergence of a transshipment centre in the Asian region. Therefore by constructing the airport which will help to boost Indian economy. Various measures are been taken by many organizations one of them is Soonbai Pirojsha Godrej Marine Ecology Centre. The Soonabai Pirojsha Godrej Marine Ecology Centre has undertaken several measures to protect the mangroves locally.
Some of the programmes undertaken are . Regular monitoring/ patrolling in creek side mangrove area conserved by SPG Marine Ecology Centre to check possible destruction of existing mangroves and protecting rare species of mangroves. 2. Ecological restoration of degraded mangroves by raising nurseries and replenishing degraded mangrove areas through artificial regeneration in different areas. 3. Establishment of Mangrove Interpretation Centre: Dissemination of the information regarding the importance of mangrove conservation through film/slide shows, seminars, nature trails/camps, poster exhibitions etc.
Q. 2. Mumbai witnessing havoc created during 26/07/2005 deluge due to diversion of the Mithi River. Will diversion of Ulve and Gadhi rivers not result in such situation? What will be the impact on natural river regime? Ans.
1. Water logging and floods will cause problems for the residents of Navi Mumbai. 2. Diversion of the rivers Ulve and Gadhi will cause cause havoc with lives and property. Mumbai saw this just two years ago in the case of the Mithi river. Impact on natural river regime: 1.
Alteration to natural flow regimes can occur through reducing or increasing flows, altering seasonality of flows, changing the frequency, duration, magnitude, timing, predictability and variability of flow events, altering surface and subsurface water levels and changing the rate of rise or fall of water levels 2. Such alterations to natural flow regimes can occur at any scale in coastal or inland catchments and can be intentional or unintentional, affecting all orders of streams and rivers and their floodplains and floodplain wetlands and the flow of freshwaters into estuaries. . Reduction of habitat due to change in area, frequency and duration of flooding of floodplains and terminal wetlands 4.
Increased flows causing more permanent flooding of some wetlands 5. Increased habitat for invasive species Q. 3. Whether it accounts for the collective environmental impact of the state government's other plans such as trans harbour link, SEZ etc or does it consider the airport in isolation.
Ans. No, it does not account the collective environmental impact of the state government’s other plans and the airport will also not be in isolation.Following are the points supporting my reason: 1. New projects like trans harbor link and SEZ which will give a boost to Indian economy.
2. It will rather relieve congestion at existing airport. 3. It will increase business on state and national level. 4. According to the study of IIT Mumbai, the area is in seismic zone III, and if diversion is successful (which has probability of around 84.
76%) which means it has very low or no impact on environment. Q. 4. Will the Navi Mumbai airport materialise in the near future will it be a boon or a curse as per the Environmental concerns.The Navi Mumbai airport is expected to be materialized by 2014.
TheInternational Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has already given clearance to the Navi Mumbai airport on technical parameters. The Airport construction is at global tendering stage. As per the various studies done by the various organization it is a boon for the city. It will help India to increase its economy. As now it’s a tough competition between various countries, we need to look after the development of the country.
And also many organization and government are looking after the environmental issues.Advantages: 1. Mumbai Trans Harbour link to be constructed 2. SEZ’s will be developed. 3. Will boost the development of Navi Mumbai and main land 4.
Create healthy competition between the two airports 5. Relieve congestion at existing airport 6. Better image of Mumbai in aviation field 7. Increase business on International Level 8.
Employment will increase Disadvantages: 1. Diversion of Ulwe and Gadhi river 2. displacement of nearly 150 hectares of mangroves. 3. Rehabilitation of 15000 population.
4. Unbearable noise levels of the aircrafts
