THANE, Sept. 10 -- A plan to plant around 9,000 trees through a Miyawaki plantation project at Saket Maidan in Rabodi has run into an environmental roadblock, with the Western Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directing the Thane police commissioner to immediately stop any further reclamation or dumping at the site. The petitioners have alleged that large quantities of soil and manure were being dumped at Saket Maidan by the Thane police as part of a Miyawaki project. However, forest department officials have stated that the site is located within 50 metres of an existing mangrove sensitive area. The Miyawaki plantation method is a technique for building dense in a short amount of time. Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki created the method in the 1970s. It helps restore degraded land and grow forests 10 times faster than standard methods. The Tribunal has also warned the Thane district collector of personal appearance at the next hearing if the administration fails to respond to the matter. The interim order was passed following a hearing on September 3, 2026, on a case filed jointly by Thane-based environmental activist Rohit Joshi and Aakashganga Society, alleging illegal debris dumping and construction activity on mangrove land at Rabodi, Thane. The petitioners have contended that the site falls within CRZ-IA and CRZ-IB areas, where reclamation, dumping and construction activities are subject to stringent restrictions as they are ecologically sensitive areas. They have argued that even activity undertaken in the name of creating green cover could have adverse consequences if it involves altering the terrain or dumping material in a mangrove-sensitive zone. Rohit Joshi, an environmentalist and petitioner, argued before the Tribunal that dumping large quantities of soil and other material for plantation purposes could damage the adjoining mangrove ecosystem. "The MCZMA, which is expected to clarify the CRZ-1 status of the site, has remained silent, while no representative from the district collector's office appeared for the hearing despite notice. The situation raises questions over whether government departments are attempting to shield one another," said Joshi. Dr Shivaji Rathod, joint commissioner, administration, Thane police, did not respond to HT's calls....