Controversy Over Salt Pan Land Transfer for Dharavi Redevelopment Sparks Environmental Concerns
(Source: Indian Express; Section: Explained; Page: 17)
| Topic: GS3 – Environment |
| Context: |
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Analysis of News:
What Are Salt Pan Lands?
- Salt pan lands are low-lying areas where seawater flows in and evaporates, leaving behind salt and minerals.
- These areas are crucial for flood protection in Mumbai, similar to the role of mangroves.
- Under the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of 2011, salt pans fall under CRZ-1B, which restricts economic activities except for salt extraction and natural gas exploration.
Development Pressure on Mumbai’s Salt Pan Lands
- With land scarcity in Mumbai, salt pans have become valuable for development. State governments have sought these lands for low-cost housing and other projects.
- Notably, past proposals by Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray aimed to use salt pans for slum relocation and infrastructure projects like metro car sheds.
Environmental Concerns
- Flooding Risk: Salt pans in low-lying areas prevent flooding by absorbing rainwater and seawater. Environmentalists warn that construction on these lands will lead to flooding in eastern suburbs such as Vikhroli and Bhandup.
- Biodiversity: Salt pans host various species of birds and insects. Environmentalists argue that urban development in these areas will harm the local ecosystem.
- Contradictions with Climate Plans: The government’s Mumbai Climate Action Plan acknowledges climate change risks, but development on salt pans contradicts efforts to mitigate flooding.
Quality of Life for Relocated Slum Dwellers
- Environmentalists question the suitability of salt pan land for housing, citing challenges like flooding, high costs for land preparation, and maintenance.
- Critics argue that the project’s high costs contradict its goal of providing affordable housing.
| PYQ: Among the following, who is the Agaria Community? (2009)
(a) A traditional toddy tappers community of Andhra Pradesh (b) A traditional fishing community of Maharashtra (c) A traditional silk-weaving community of Karnataka (d) A traditional salt pan workers community of Gujarat Answer: (d) |
| Practice Question: Critically examine the environmental and social implications of developing Mumbai’s salt pan lands for urban housing projects, particularly in the context of flood risk management and sustainable urban planning. (250 words/15 m) |
