Background of the Case

• Vanashakti, an environmental NGO, filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking stronger protection of mangroves, wetlands, and ecologically fragile coastal zones—especially in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
• The petition challenged large-scale destruction of mangroves due to infrastructure projects, land reclamation, and encroachments.
• It invoked Article 21 (Right to Life), arguing that environmental degradation directly harms public health and climate resilience.

Key Issues Raised

• Failure of state agencies (MCZMA, MMRDA, CIDCO, MHADA) to prevent illegal reclamation and destruction of mangrove forests.
• Non-compliance with CRZ Notifications, particularly CRZ-1, where mangroves are classified as ecologically sensitive and construction is prohibited.
• Lack of fencing, demarcation, and long-term protection measures for mangrove areas.
• Absence of a dedicated mechanism to restore damaged mangroves and prevent future encroachments.

Supreme Court’s Key Directions

• Complete prohibition on destroying mangroves under any circumstances, including for public projects.
• Declared mangroves as a component of the Right to Life under Article 21.
• Ordered the State of Maharashtra to:
  • Constitute a Mangrove Conservation and Protection Authority.
  • Fence, survey, and demarcate all mangrove areas.
  • Treat mangrove lands as protected forest land.
• Any project impacting mangroves to require:
  • Prior clearance from State authorities,
  • Strict compliance with CRZ rules,
  • Mandatory compensatory afforestation (ratio higher than 1:1).
• Directed quarterly reporting on mangrove protection to the High Court/Supreme Court.

Significance of the Judgment

• First explicit recognition that destroying mangroves violates Article 21, expanding the scope of environmental rights.
• Strengthened legal protection for mangroves nationwide, not just in Maharashtra.
• Reinforced the binding nature of CRZ rules and tightened scrutiny of coastal development projects.
• Set a precedent for protecting ecologically fragile urban ecosystems (mangroves, wetlands, estuaries).
• Highlighted mangroves’ role in flood control, tidal regulation, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration.

Implications for Governance and Policy

• Mandates multi-agency coordination for coastal ecological protection.
• Boosts environmental litigation by civil society groups.
• Requires state governments to integrate mangrove protection into urban planning, coastal infrastructure, and climate adaptation policies.
• Encourages stronger monitoring using GIS, geo-fencing, and satellite tools.

Influences future assessments under Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and CRZ clearances.