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1 Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society Registered Address : 205, CITI Tower, C Wing, Plot 55, Sector 15, CBD, Belapur, Navi Mumbai , Maharashtra, India Registration Number : MAH/1208/12/Thane Date: nd ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING ON 29 th June, 2014 AT REGISTERED OFFICE The banner sponsored by NMEPS. 1

2 Annual Report World Earth Day BNHS addressing the participants World Earth Day Students from various schools World Forestry Day 2

3 Mangroves being planted in Sector 58, Nerul Management Committee Members The following Management Committee was elected at the Meeting held on Mr. Vinod Kumar Punshi Mr. Anupam Verma Mr. Ajay Kumar Goyal Mr. Amit Kumar Mathur Mr. Bulusu S Venkateswar Mr. Sandeep Bangia Mr. Virender Kumar Gandhi, Hon. President Hon. Secretary Hon. Treasurer Member Member Member Member Advisors 1. Dr Dhiren Pania - Expert on Mangrove & Coastal Life 2. Mr Stalin - Environmentalist & Director-Projects Vanashakti Auditor Ajay Madan and Co. Chartered Accountant, G-206, 2 nd Floor, Deck Level, tower No 7, Railway Station Complex, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai Banker Bank of Baroda, 3299 Seawoods Branch, Shop No 5 to 8, Dhara Complex Plot No 3 and 4, Sector 44A, Nerul, Navi Mumbai Contents Item 3 Page No.

4 Notice 04 Management Committee Report Auditor s report 10 Balance Sheet 11 Income & Expenditure Account 12 Photos of Important Events

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6 Management Committee Report For Year To, The Members, Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society 205, CITI Tower, C Wing, Plot 55, Sector 15, CBD, Belapur, Navi Mumbai , Maharashtra, India Welcome to the Second Annual report on the working of your Society for the financial year ended March 31, 2014 submitted by the Management Committee of Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society (NMEPS). 1. Financial Highlights Your society has a closing balance of Rs. 80, We wish to thank our donors, friends and supporters who have made significant contributions to the society. 2. Statement of Accounts: Balance Sheet for the financial year ended 31 March 2014 is attached. Also attached is the Auditor s Report. 3. Society Formation and registration : Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society was set up in the year 2012 as a Not for Profit Society. It was registered under Societies Registration Act 1860 Navi Mumbai on Society was registered under the Bombay Trust Act 1950 Navi Mumbai on OBJECTIVE The residents of Navi Mumbai were concerned about the destruction of mangroves, lakes and wetlands in Navi Mumbai. These are environmentally important, ecologically sensitive and are natural habitats for migratory birds. The residents have been taking up the issues with the authorities over last several years but there was very little response. The concerned residents, therefore, decided to form Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society. The main objectives of the society are: 6

7 To promote / educate and to raise issues and awareness related to environmental protection / preservation / conservation with particular reference to the conservation of mangroves/lakes/wetlands/natural water bodies / natural holding tanks and ecological sensitive areas in Navi Mumbai. 5. Membership: The society has a practice of inviting new members who are interested in environment issues and willing to contribute their time to the society activities. As on the society had 15 Members. 6. Review of Activities Conducted by Society: Society conducted various activities and education programmes to improve environmental awareness and to put pressure on concerned Government authorities to take action to preserve water bodies, lakes, mangroves and prevent debris dumping. Some of the activities conducted are given below: 6.1 World Earth Day Save Mangroves Walk Your Society organized a Save Mangroves Walk on Sunday 21 st April 2013 to draw the attention of the authorities on saving the mangroves and teaching school children on the importance of mangroves ecosystem. The walk started at 7am from DPS Lake and proceeded along the creek side of Palm Beach Road to TS Chanakya. Over 300 children participated. There were experts who spoke to small groups on the importance on mangroves. The activity was covered by media. 6.2 World Environment Day 2013 Slogan Contest On the occasion of the World Environment Day, 5 th June, 2013, your Society organized a Slogan Contest for Navi Mumbai school children on the was the UN theme of THINK- EAT- SAVE. There was a positive response and a jury picked up the winners who were given a porcelain mug as a memento. This contest was part of your society s efforts to involve schools and increase the awareness of children on environment issues. 6.3 Seminar at Delhi Public School, Nerul In order to raise the awareness about the importance of Wetlands amongst citizens of Navi Mumbai, particularly school children, your society organized a seminar on the occasion of the World Wetlands Day on 1st February, 2014 at Delhi Public School. The topic was Preservation of Wetlands and way forward. The Chief Guest was Mr. N Vasudevan, Chief Conservator of Forests (Mangrove cell). Other speakers were Dr. Anjali Paranis, Regional Director TERI, Dr. Raju Kasambe, BNHS, Ms Sravani Rao, Principal DPS, Ms. Rituja Mokal, Vanashakti and school children of DPS and Podar International School. Over 350 children from various schools 7

8 participated and heard the presentations in pin drop silence. The presentations were of high quality and relevant leading to questions from the children. The seminar was appreciated by all and the participating schools wanted more such activities. We would like to thank all the participating schools, speakers and DPS in making the Seminar a grand success. 6.4 World Forestry Day 21 st March Mangrove Plantation On the occasion of the World Forestry Day, the Forest Range Officer Navi Mumbai organized a mangrove plantation in Sector 58, Nerul. Many members of your Society and other Navi Mumbai residents participated. It is important that the Ecosystem is restored and your Society plans more such activities in the future. 6.5 PIL at High Court Your society was concerned with the wanton destruction of mangroves, wetlands and natural habitats of birds, including migratory birds in Navi Mumbai. Debris are being dumped, mangroves burnt and illegal reclamation/construction in CRZ zones including within 50 meters of mangroves. Despite the MCZMA order of 16/01/13 and Konkan Commissioner s order of 19/10/2012, debris are still dumped on the lake with water channels blocked. Since no action was being taken despite representations to various authorities, your society decided to file a PIL in Bombay High Court. The PIL No is 218 of It was served on the seven respondents on 2 nd December, The petitioners are NMEPS and Mr. VK Punshi. The respondents are Ministry of Environment, Govt. of Maharashtra, MD CIDCO, Municipal Commissioner NMMC, Chief Conservator of Forests (Mangrove Cell), Commissioner Konkan Division, Commissioner of Police, Navi Mumbai and MCZMA. The first hearing was held on 14/02/2014 before the Corum of Justice S. J. Vazifdar and Justice B. P. Colabawalla. Their Lordships heard us and, in view of the importance of the issue, appointed Senior Counsel Shiraz Rustomjee as Amicus Curie. Subsequent hearings were held during April before a new Corum of Justice A. S. Oka and Justice A. A. Sayed. Respondent No. 2 submitted an affidavit to the Court challenging most of the points made by your society. After hearing the arguments from both sides and the Amicus Curie, Justice Oka dictated an interim order on 29 th April 2014 which was uploaded on the High Court website in May 14. This barred CIDCO from dumping any debris on DPS Lake and area behind Chanakya. Further the court appointed Nodal officers from CIDCO & Forest Dept to ensure that no further debris is dumped. ACP Turbhe division was specifically asked to provide necessary police protection to various authorities in carrying on their duties for demolition of illegal structures and stopping debris dumping. The members will be pleased to note that the CIDCO has initiated the action and already demolished the illegal temple behind the T S Chanakya. The ACP has issued instruction to all local police stations to respond immediately on any complaint from citizens. CIDCO is to file and Action Taken Report to HC by 13 th June in the next hearing on 20 th June Green School Project 8

9 The Green School Programme (GSP) is an initiative of Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi. NMEPS on its part wishes to reach students by initiating this project in Navi Mumbai schools. It aims at helping the schools audit their use of resources and map their consumption and wastage. The exercise involves collection of information under categories such as Water, Air, Land, Energy and Waste management. Avalon International School, Vashi agreed to participate in the pilot project. Data has been collected by students and sent to us. 9 th standard students, under the guidance of nominated teachers, took part in this activity. A follow up will be done once the school new session starts. Talks are on with Delhi Public School, Nerul, for conducting the same. 6.7 Filing of application for a Project to MoEF, New Delhi In response to an initiative from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), your society has proposed to conduct a research study titled Assessment of mangrove biodiversity and dependence of migratory birds in the wetland areas of Navi Mumbai City The study proposes to assess mangrove biodiversity and dependence of migratory birds in the wetland areas of Navi Mumbai City. while also involving the local youth. The study would also identify the most vulnerable areas and specific combinations of mangrove forests and migratory bird species that are at most risk of being lost. Dissemination of information for long term sustenance of these mangrove eco-systems would be one of the critical outputs of this exercise. It is proposed to involve local students from schools / colleges in this exercise. NMEPS will provide all necessary infrastructural facilities (both laboratory and administrative) if the project is sanctioned. The project s estimated cost of Rs 8.8 lakhs will be partially reimbursed by the MoEF as per the tenets of the MoEF initiative. Members will be pleased to note that our project has been shortlisted and revised project report has been sent to MoEF in May 2014 for final evaluation. 6.8 Approval under Section 12AA of IT Act Your society has got the approval from the IT Dept under Section 12AA on 23/04/2014. With this approval your society income from donation, interest etc will exempted. 7. Your Society will continue its activities on preservation of the environment and spreading the message to schools & housing societies in Navi Mumbai. Its members will remain vigilant and report any activity harming the ecosystem to the concerned authorities. The main activities planned during are: 9

10 7.1 Produce a wall calendar giving various environment and social conscious days in It is proposed to conduct activities on some of these days involving school children and neighboring housing societies of Navi Mumbai. 7.2 Your society is in the process of obtaining approval from Income Tax Department under 80G so that the donors get the tax benefit on their donations. 7.3 Set up a website for NMEPS 7.4 Mangrove Plantation to reclaim the ecosystem in Navi Mumbai coast. 10

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15 World Forestry Day Few of the residents who participated in the plantation with Forest Dept officers World Wetland Day Seminar Inauguration by Mr N Vasudevan (Chief Conservator of Forest Dept Mangroves Cell) with Mr Punshi (President NMEPS), Ms Anjali Paranis (Dir. TERI) & Ms Sravani Rao (DPS Principal) World Wetland Day Seminar Mr N Vasudevan (Chief Conservator of Forest Dept Mangroves Cell). 15

16 World Wetland Day Seminar Dr Raju Kasambe, Renowned bird expert, BNHS World Wetland Day Seminar Students Speakers (DPS & Podar) with mementos World Wetland Day Seminar Part of audience 16

17 World Earth Day Large number of flamingoes & other migratory birds Vanashree, Nerul, Navi Mumbai World Forestry Day Flamingoes in Sector 58, Nerul SOME OF THE FLAMINGOES WHO MIGRATE EVERY YEAR TO WETLANDS IN NERUL, NAVI MUMBAI 17