Gujarat: CAG finds 117 hectares of mangroves destroyed in Kutch; asks govt to save ‘Kharai” breed of camels from extinction

“Mangroves are a lifeline for this distinct breed and destruction of mangroves can threaten its existence… The State Government may take appropriate action to preserve Mangroves to save the ‘Kharai’ breed of camels from extinction,” the CAG added.

In the report tabled in the state legislature, the country’s top auditor observed that the Gujarat Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) received a complaint from the Kutch Camel Breeders Association (KCBA), Bhuj regarding the large-scale destruction of mangroves in Nani-Chirai and Moti-Chirai areas of Bhachau taluka by salt pan lessees way back in February 2018. Besides making the complaint, the KCBA also filed (March 2018) an appeal before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding mangrove destruction.

The NGT on September 11, 2019, passed an order directing the forest and environment department to restore the mangroves within six months. It also directed the department, the GCZMA, and the revenue department to inspect the site, remove the obstruction, and take action against the culprits by recovering the cost of environmental damage and the cost of restoration within one month from the order. Thereafter, the GCZMA constituted a committee that carried out the analysis of the sites in July 2020. “The report of the committee revealed that 9,511 meters of bunds had been constructed and nearly 117 hectares of mangroves had been destroyed,” the CAG observed.

Audit analysis conducted by the CAG revealed that neither the forest department nor the GCZMA took any action on the orders of the NGT including restoration of the mangroves and removal of the bunds.

“This is indicative of lackadaisical efforts in ensuring compliance with NGT orders. The destruction of these mangroves in CRZ (Coastal Regulatory Zone) areas not only proves costly to ecosystems but also poses a threat of extinction to a unique breed of ‘Kharai’ camels which are dependent on the mangroves for their food,” the CAG stated.