TheMaharashtragovernment has filed an affidavit in the Bombay identifying a total of 23,055 wetland sites in the state that measure more than 2.5 hectares (ha). These include at least 13 wetland sites within Navi Mumbai city, besides more in parts of Kharghar and Uran, among others.
The affidavit elaborates how the wetlands were identified and listed as per the demarcation of wetland boundaries supported by accurate digital maps with coordinates and validated by ground truthing, demarcation of its zone of influence and land use and the land cover indicated in a digital map, and ecological character description among, other criteria.
Since the past one-and-half years, the vast wetlands data from all the districts was collated and matched with the National Wetland Atlas while preparing the final official list following field visits and satellite mapping.
The wetlands identified from Navi Mumbai region include Seawoods Darawe, Seawoods Nerul, Belapur, Koparkhairane and Ghansoli areas, among others.