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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

Panje wetland moves closer to legal protection

Navi Mumbai: The 289-hectare Panje-Dongari wetland in Uran, regarded by environmentalists as Maharashtra’s largest intertidal wetland, has moved a significant step closer to securing legal protection after the Raigad district administration completed a long-awaited ground verification process, environmental groups said. The development is being seen as a major milestone in the years-long campaign by conservationists to protect the ecologically sensitive wetland from reclamation and...

Panje wetland moves closer to legal protection

Navi Mumbai: The 289-hectare Panje-Dongari wetland in Uran, regarded by environmentalists as Maharashtra’s largest intertidal wetland, has moved a significant step closer to securing legal protection after the Raigad district administration completed a long-awaited ground verification process, environmental groups said. The development is being seen as a major milestone in the years-long campaign by conservationists to protect the ecologically sensitive wetland from reclamation and infrastructure-related pressures. The verification is part of the process required before wetlands can be formally notified under the Environment (Protection) Act. According to the NatConnect Foundation, the verification follows documentation by the Chennai-based National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), which has completed the ground-truthing of nearly all the 23,000 wetlands identified across Maharashtra under the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment (NWIA), prepared using 2006-07 satellite imagery. Environmentalists have repeatedly criticised the delay in completing the verification and notification process in the state. Rising Hopes A senior official of the State Wetland Authority, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the Raigad Collector has cleared 11 of the 19 wetlands documented by NCSCM in the district, including the Panje wetland. The wetlands at Belpada and Bhendkhal have also reportedly progressed towards notification, raising hopes for their long-term conservation. The list approved by the Collector also includes wetlands in Panvel taluka at Kharghar, Taloja, Kharghar Sector 25, Kalamboli, Sinkar and Morave. However, government officials said wetlands at Sheva, Jaskhar, Murud Creek and the Mangrove Wetland Complex do not feature in the Collector’s current documents, leaving questions over their status. The Panje wetland has been at the centre of a prolonged legal and environmental battle. The Bombay Environmental Action Group (BEAG) founder and noted environmentalist Debi Goenka had earlier demonstrated, using the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment maps, that Panje qualified as a wetland despite claims to the contrary. “BEAG founder and noted environmentalist Debi Goenka was among the first to demonstrate, using the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment (NWIA) maps, that Panje qualified as a wetland despite claims to the contrary. His painstaking interpretation of the colour-coded satellite atlas greatly strengthened our case for Panje’s conservation,” said B N Kumar, Director, NatConnect Foundation. Happy Activists Welcoming the latest development, Nandakumar Pawar, Director of Sagar Shakti, who has led a prolonged legal battle to protect the wetland, said, “The 289-hectare Panje wetland is the largest intertidal wetland in the state. Its conservation is critical for protecting Uran’s fragile ecology.” Kumar described the verification as a vindication of sustained public efforts. “Panje has shown that persistence pays,” he said, while Pawar added that the focus must now shift towards securing legal protection for all of Maharashtra’s 23,000 mapped wetlands before they are lost to encroachment and development. Pawar warned that the destruction and reclamation of several wetlands in Uran, including the four-kilometre Jasai stretch, have already aggravated flooding in surrounding villages. He said extensive landfilling for the Dronagiri Node and other infrastructure projects has further worsened the ecological situation. The Collector’s report assumes significance amid continued opposition from CIDCO, which has maintained that several of these areas are former salt pans or agricultural land and are therefore suitable for development. Environmental groups, however, argue that irrespective of their historical land use, these ecosystems now perform critical ecological functions and deserve statutory protection. According to Kumar, although Panje—currently leased to NMSEZ, now NMIIA—has remained free from construction activity, the regular obstruction of tidal water flow causes the wetland to dry up periodically, threatening its ecological health. Environmental organisations including Vanashakti, Sagar Shakti, NatConnect Foundation, Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society, Save Navi Mumbai Environment and Kharghar Wetlands & Hills Forum have been pursuing legal and administrative interventions to secure protection for the wetlands. Highlighting their ecological importance, Pawar said wetlands not only support rich biodiversity but also serve as natural flood buffers, store significant amounts of carbon and sustain the livelihoods of traditional fishing communities. He stressed that notifying these wetlands is essential for strengthening the climate resilience of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

A Summer in Germany: Family, Adventure, and the 9-Euro Ticket

With the 9-euro ticket, one pass allowed us to explore Germany’s cities and charming border towns, making our trip feel limitless.

We visited our relatives in Germany in 2022, soon after the long COVID pause. It had been ages since we travelled, and this trip was the perfect chance to reconnect with family. From there, we went to Dresden. It's one of my favourite German cities.


I was in Dresden in May to celebrate three family birthdays. While planning our days, something incredible happened — the German government announced the “9-Euro Ticket”. For just 9 euros a month, it covered local and regional transport in June, July, and August, though long-distance trains like ICE, IC, or EC were excluded. For us, it was perfect — one ticket let us explore Germany’s cities and charming border towns, making our trip feel limitless.


Having worked in tourism since 1999, I’ve explored many European destinations. I have visited Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Belgium, and the French Riviera, including Monaco, multiple times for work and leisure. On leisure trips, we often seek less touristy spots and share these hidden gems with our customers. On group tours, one of us acts as tour leader, guiding the experience. After the long COVID pause, we made the most of the 9-euro ticket to explore Germany again—this time at a relaxed pace, enjoying a family holiday.


Dresden is Germany’s second capital and a city of rich history and culture. What made this visit truly special was our family’s warmth, welcoming us with open arms and creating countless memorable moments.


The holiday was full of simple joys: cooking together, playing with the children, watching TV, enjoying garden barbecues, taking long evening walks, and singing karaoke. After the stress and isolation of COVID, it was wonderfully refreshing to laugh, explore, and simply be together.


Dresden, the capital of Saxony, lies near the Czech Republic and Poland, making it an ideal hub for exploring Central Europe. Once Germany’s cultural centre, it was nearly destroyed in World War II but has since risen from the ashes. Set on the Elbe River, Dresden—often called the “Florence of the Elbe”—boasts stunning architecture, world-class museums, and a rich cultural heritage.


Highlights include the Frauenkirche, rebuilt from salvaged stones after WWII, and the Fürstenzug, a 102-metre-long porcelain mural depicting Saxony’s rulers across centuries. Other must-sees include Neumarkt, Zwinger, Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Porzellansammlung, Semperoper, Residenzschloss, Katholische Hofkirche, and Altmarkt, alongside numerous gardens and parks perfect for strolling and relaxing.


Close to our family home, the Großer Garten, established in 1676, stretches nearly 1.8 km in Baroque symmetry. Tall trees, serene lakes with swans, and benches scattered throughout invite long walks and quiet reflection. Over time, the park expanded to include the Dresden Zoo, Botanical Garden, and Parkeisenbahn, a miniature railway. Even Volkswagen’s Transparent Factory blends modern architecture with historic beauty. Cycling or strolling here became my personal retreat, a peaceful haven amid the city’s energy.


Hidden Architectural Gem

With the 9-euro ticket, our first excursion was Görlitz, a picturesque town on the German-Polish border. After a two-hour train journey, we stepped into a town seemingly frozen in time.


Görlitz boasts nearly 4,000 listed buildings, preserved thanks to being spared WWII bombing. From Baroque to Renaissance to Neoclassical to Art Deco, the town is a living museum. Wandering its cobbled streets, every corner seemed to tell a story, and the quiet charm made it a memorable first stop on our German adventures.


Nature’s Spa Retreat

Next, we visited Bad Schandau, a spa town on the Elbe River at the mouth of the Kirnitzsch Valley, within Saxon Switzerland National Park, famous for the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The town is charming with spring waters, forested hills, and quaint spa houses, and the Kirnitzschtalbahn, a historic tramway, offers a scenic ride to the Lichtenhain Waterfall.


Fields of lavender and yellow wildflowers along the river were breathtaking. We walked for two to three hours, soaking in the scenery, and later enjoyed views from the train. Long summer days allowed us to explore until 8 PM, returning home around 10:30 — a combination of walking, trains, and even a boat made each day a full, unforgettable adventure.


In just a few days, we had explored these beautiful places, but our journey was far from over. With another family birthday ahead, we planned visits to three castles in Saxony, promising even more magical experiences. I’ll share that part of the adventure in my next articles — so stay tuned for more stories of Germany’s beauty, culture, and joy.


Germany, with its rich history, stunning natural beauty, and the convenience of the 9-Euro Ticket, offered us a summer full of family, adventure, and discovery — an experience to cherish forever.


(The writer is a tourism professional and runs a company, Global Voyages. Views personal.)

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