Dear Sirs, Our group has been carrying out an assessment of the above mentioned wetlands in Sector 17 and 19 of Kharghar Node in Panvel Taluka, Raigarh District. Our group includes members highly qualified in different professions and has environmentalists, BNHS members, birds and wildlife enthusiasts, advocates, engineers and doctors. Details of the two wetlands are in the attached documents and here are the exact co-ordinates of them: Sector 17 Wetland https://goo.gl/maps/T4m3x2VeUAx Sector 19 Wetland https://goo.gl/maps/LxSdCLeB2rC2 After our initial assessment - it has become very clear that these wetlands have to be immediately declared "No Development Zone", so that they can be saved. There are several reasons why this is necessary. Some of the major ones are: * Both the wetlands are extensions of the Taloja creek and connected to sea water and mangrove forests. And hence should come under CRZ I zones. * Abundant evidence of water and the flora and fauna that can be found here (very rare species of birds from all over the globe come here) - for pictures see: https://tinyurl.com/y7w2bxhu * Both the wetlands are at significant threat from construction debris and other garbage filling them up. Also there are signs of encroachments. For pictures see: https://tinyurl.com/yd7gfy5a * Both wetlands are nature's gift to protect citizens in events of storms and flooding - as they make up a natural buffer zone between creek and our buildings. Please bring this up for discussions in your upcoming and most immediate Wetlands Committee Meeting. So that you can instruct the relevant authorities to take action regarding this. Actions are needed, not just promises. So far we have not seen any actions - despite following up. And as requested by us earlier too, please get all the debris that have filled up these wetlands removed at the earliest. We need to have both wetlands restored completely. Please instruct relevant authorities for the same. Thanks & Regards, Nareshchandra Singh (Wetlands Team Leader) Mobile No. 9833063495 Sham Phadnis, President Mobile No. 9867562518 Abhivyakti Group (NGO) E-mail: Abhivyaktiegroup@gmail.com Twitter: @abhivyaktigroup Facebook: @abhivyakti