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12
Part 2
12.1
Introduction
12.1.1
The concentration of population and economic activities in Greater Mumbai and their
continuing growth in the rest of the MMR have, over the years, given rise to complex
problems of environmental management. They include, high level of air and water
pollution, unsatisfactory solid waste management, exploitation of wetlands and
countryside and risk of industrial disasters. Growth projections made elsewhere in this
report imply an addition of 7.81 million people in MMR in the next two decades. These
projections also imply to increased pace of development activities relating to housing,
industry and recreational facilities, urban infrastructure and transport. The environmental
impact of future growth together with backlog of environmental neglect of the past presents
a formidable challenge for environmental management. It calls not merely for more
stringent environmental regulations and other enforcement measures, but also
consideration of the whole gamut of issues relating to environmental planning and
management.
12.2
Review of the Past Efforts
12.2.1
The Regional Plan for MMR - 1973, prepared in the late 1960s, did not deal specifically
with the environmental issues. However, the prevailing environmental concerns were
reflected in the decentralisation policies that aimed at reducing congestion and
overcrowding in Mumbai, improving its infrastructure and thereby improving the conditions
of living and working. The Plan also aimed at achieving distribution of industries in a way
that would avoid problems of air and water pollution. It suggested reduction of land
allocation for industries in South Mumbai and Thane and proposed new industrial areas
in the northern part of the Region to achieve better spatial distribution. The Plan also
sought to ensure conservation of the countryside through provision of Green Zone and
Forest Zone and confining of urban development to well defined urban centres.
These proposals of the Regional Plan were prompted more by traditional town planning