India, March 13 -- While admitting to large-scale encroachment by slums, godowns and land reclamation in mangrove-protected areas in Gorai, Manori, Eksar and Malvani in Borivali, the state government on Thursday announced strict action against offenders and steps to restore the land so it can be brought back under mangrove cover.

The government informed the legislative assembly that Manori Buddhapada was found to have 126 small and large structures in the mangrove area during an inspection in December. Of these, 33 encroachments were located directly on 0.27 hectares of mangrove land, while encroachments on 0.91 hectares were within the 50-metre buffer zone.

In Manori Houdpada, 33 temporary and permanent structures were identified. Mang...