Navi Mumbai: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation‘s (NMMC) encroachment department undertook decisive action against unauthorised constructions on mangrove land following non-compliance with previous notices. Activists, however, contend that the authorities’ delayed response allowed encroachers to establish businesses over years, resulting in the loss of numerous mangroves.The demolition operation, conducted on Friday morning, saw the presence of forest department officials on site.Environmental activists noted that the action resulted from continuous pressure by forest minister Ganesh Naik, who recently cautioned authorities to remove all mangrove land encroachments. Officials demolished an unlicensed Fast Food Corner and lavatory facilities located on plot number 73, opposite Euro School in Airoli‘s sector-19 within NMMC’s G ward. “The operation also included removal of around a hundred unauthorised dwellings constructed within the mangrove forest on plot number 74 in sector 19, Airoli,” said an NMMC official. — B B Nayak