ORDER

The Issue

1. Grievance in this application is against unregulated construction in the buffer/floodplain zone of Kankradi River in ecologically fragile area of Dahanu, District Palghar, Maharashtra. The constructions obstruct the flow of the river and have potential for flooding. There is no clear demarcation of blue and red lines.

2. The applicant has stated that Dahanu is on the North-West corner of Maharashtra located at about 120 kms north of Mumbai and is a coastal town. Kainad hills located at the east of Dahanu are at about 12-15km distance. These hills are the birth place of Kankradi River and are its major catchment area. Small streams over the hills come together to form Kankradi River at about 70m above Railway Bridge, located at the North end of the Dahanu Road Railway Station. Dahanu Samta Khadi (creek) is 500 m wide. From Dahanu Arabian sea (west coast) to 8 km east Samta village is south boundary of Dahanu town. This creek is the main source of fishing. Its banks are of rich mangrove eco-systems. Kankradi river ends itself in this Dahanu Khadi. This area of ‘Kankradi Dahanu Khadi meet’ is very rich place for breeding for certain marine food varieties like crabs, m