The Bombay High Court has warned the state government to take proper steps to protect mangroves and wetlands in Mumbai, so that a Chennai-like deluge situation does not happen here.

A division bench of justices V M Kanade and Revati Mohite Dhere said, "We are of the view that earmarking of the wetland area is not enough. Protection from developers and builders is needed, who use these mangroves and wetlands to dump debris, thereby destroying them."

The court also observed that unregulated development in and around the city is a major cause of concern. The petitioner, NGO Vanshakti, tendered before the court a report published on a news website about 5,000 hectares of wetland in Tamil Nadu being reduced to 500 hectares because of rapid urbanisation. To which, the court said, "A similar situation is prevalent in Mumbai and the authorities will have to follow the earlier orders of the high court strictly, so that citizens do not have to face a flood-like situation."

Government pleader GW Mattos informed the court that the authorities were in the final stages of preparing an atlas for the city wetlands and mangroves and the police have been directed to promptly act on any complaints about destruction or dumping of debris. The court has now adjourned the matter for two weeks and directed the government to file a compliance report on actions taken until now.

The public interest litigation (PIL) has also sought directions to the authorities to ensure proper implementation of wetland rules and stop the ongoing mangrove destruction, as verified by the report.