Mumbai, March 19 -- Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has demanded an immediate halt to the cutting of around 45,000 mangroves in Mumbai, raising serious environmental concerns and allegations of fraud.

Speaking to reporters, Thackeray alleged that claims made by the Forest Department regarding large-scale tree transplantation are "bogus," citing reports by organisations and media investigations.

"I demand an immediate halt to the cutting of approximately 45,000 mangroves (Maharashtra legislative assembly)... The Forest Department claims that they transplant 13 lakh trees. However, investigations by certain organisations and media have called these claims bogus..Instead, old mangroves are being cut down to make way for new ones, ...