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On two consecutive days, in the first week of February 2025, the Bombay High Court permitted the felling of dozens of mangroves for two separate projects—one by Adani Electricity and another by the Indian Navy. These approvals highlight a growing concern: India, despite being one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, continues to destroy its natural defenses in the name of development.
Two Projects, One Consequence: Vanishing Mangroves
On February 6, the Bombay High Court allowed Adani Electricity Mumbai Infra Limited to cut 209 mangroves near Vasai Creek to construct a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission line between two substations. Spanning 80 kilometers across Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, the project was deemed critical to meet Mumbai’s growing energy needs.
One day before that, the court also granted permission to cut 45 mangroves for a 400-meter jetty at Naval Station Karanja in Uran, Navi Mumbai. The project, aimed at accommodating minor war vessels and passenger ferries, was justified as being in “national interest.”
These approvals come despite a 2018 Bombay HC ruling imposing a “total freeze” on mangrove destruction, requiring special court permissions for every instance of felling.
Additionally, in both cases, the NGO Bombay Environmental Action Group (BEAG) oopposed the petitions, citing inconsistencies in the number of mangroves to be cut. In Adani’s case, the initial estimate suggested that only 79 mangroves would be felled, but the final request sought permission to cut 209 mangroves. Similarly, for the Navy’s project, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report initially stated that 21 mangroves would be affected, but the actual petition requested clearance for 45 mangroves. BEAG highlighted these discrepancies, raising concerns about transparency in environmental assessments.
A Disturbing Trend
Mangroves are globally recognized as ‘natural barriers against climate change’, protecting coastal cities from rising sea levels, erosion, and extreme weather events. India, already facing frequent cyclones and rising coastal vulnerabilities, should ideally be investing in their conservation. Instead, mangrove loss continues unabated.
While courts and supporters of the project argue for a ‘balance between development and environmental protection’, past experiences have shown that compensatory afforestation often falls short in restoring lost ecosystems. The destruction of mature mangrove forests cannot simply be offset by replanting saplings elsewhere.
What Lies Ahead?
The recent HC approvals reflect a larger pattern of environmental compromises in the face of infrastructure expansion. With urbanization and industrial projects encroaching upon fragile ecosystems, India’s coastal defenses are slowly being eroded—one project at a time. If this continues, the price of progress may be paid in ‘worsening climate disasters, increased flooding, and long-term ecological loss.’
References:
https://cat.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/PIL-87-of-2006-Judgement-17.09.2018.pdf
Banner Image: https://mangroves.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/SiteInfo/Pdf/Bio-Sentinels%20of%20Coastal%20Maharashtra_web.pdf
