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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.

The Timeless Beauty of the Rocky Mountain Range

Updated: Jan 10, 2025

Part Five

The majestic Rocky Mountains and their surrounding beauty captivate the heart, beckoning you to return again and again.

Rocky Mountain Range

During our visit to the United States to see our older son, Akhilesh, my younger son, who was pursuing his M.Tech in India at the time, was unable to join us. His college exams, which were scheduled around the same time, prevented him from coming—something we had truly hoped for. Fortunately, during Diwali, my nephew Aniket, who was working in New Jersey on the East Coast of the United States at the time, took a vacation and visited us in Denver. This gave us the chance to revisit the Rocky Mountains. However, we missed having Akhilesh with us throughout the trip and decided to visit all the places again when he could join us.


On Sunday morning, we set off again to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. On the way, we passed a beautiful village called Frisco, with European-style bungalows, houses, and nature. We had breakfast there and then saw Dillon Lake. A little further ahead of it is Twin Lake, a beautiful lake between two mountains, with blue water and a beautiful clear blue sky. It was a beautiful sight. After crossing one ridge after another through this mountain valley, we came to Maroon Bell. The journey continued by crossing many small and large mountains, which are called ridges.


Maroon Bells is another incredibly famous destination. Here, they transport you on a special bus for a guided nature tour of the surrounding mountains and valleys, providing a unique way to explore the area. Fortunately, there weren’t too many visitors during our trip, so we were able to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature without any distractions. Afterward, we headed to the world-renowned city of Aspen. Situated at a remarkably high altitude, Aspen is a stunningly beautiful and charming place. In winter, when the mountains are blanketed in snow, it attracts visitors from all over the globe who come to engage in a variety of adventure sports in the snow. Aspen is especially famous for its skiing opportunities, drawing both seasoned and novice skiers alike. It’s also known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, adding to its allure as an exclusive destination.


From there, we travelled to another charming town, Crested Butte. Nestled amidst the Rocky Mountains on all sides, and with a picturesque lake by its side, this European-style village exudes the charm of an English countryside. The clean, open roads and the surrounding nature contribute to the village's serene beauty. Each season brings a unique view of nature—during the summer, the mountain peaks are adorned with a vibrant array of flowers and vines, and the entire landscape, including the mountains, is decorated with colourful blossoms. Shubhankar and Ragini made a point of visiting two or three times to take in this breathtaking, panoramic view. It was only after coming here that Shubhankar truly fell in love with the place.


From there, we made our way to another charming town, Crested Butte. Surrounded by the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains on all sides and complemented by a stunning lake nearby, this picturesque European-style village brings to mind the serene beauty of an English countryside. The clean, wide-open roads, along with the untouched natural surroundings, make this village truly special. Each season presents a unique perspective of nature—during the summer, the mountain tops are blanketed with a variety of flowers and vines, while the entire landscape, including the mountains themselves, seems to be decorated in a vibrant array of colours. Shubhankar and Ragini made it a point to visit two or three times just to take in this stunning panoramic view. It wasn’t until Shubhankar experienced it firsthand that he truly fell in love with the place.


In this expansive Rocky Mountain range, beyond the famous Rocky Mountain National Park, we also discovered three or four other national parks, including the Gunnison National Forest, Isabel National Forest, and more, each offering its own breathtaking views and natural beauty.


After crossing the trail ridge, we arrived at Grand Lake, a heavenly place, a lake so big that it looked like a big river, with mountains in front, springs flowing from the mountains that meet this lake, and the clear blue water in the lake. Everything was so beautiful that it felt like we were looking at it or looking at a beautiful calendar. The cold outside and the sun setting in the middle made the whole atmosphere absolutely amazing. There are many more places like this in the Rocky Mountains, but it is not possible to see the entire area in one or two trips, but the joy of experiencing the proximity of these magnificent mountains always remains with us, wanting to visit again and again.


(The author is a director of a company. He has travelled extensively across India and overseas.)

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