What Are Salt Pans?

Context:

The Maharashtra government has issued a GR (Government Resolution) allocating 255.9 acres of salt pan land, distributed over three land parcels in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs, for the construction of rental houses in the Dharavi Redevelopment Project through a lease agreement.

Relevance:

GS I: Geography

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What are salt pans?
2. What are the terms for allocation of land?
3. What are the concerns?
4. What lies ahead?

What are salt pans?

• Salt pan lands are ecologically important salt marshlands.
• They are low-lying areas around the shore that are used for salt cultivation.
• They act as holding ponds and work as a sponge for the absorption of rain. They are a coastal area’s natural defence against flooding.
• They help intertidal activity, and are home to diverse flora and fauna.

What are the terms for allocation of land?

• Four conditions have been put forth for the allocation of the land which will be given at a concessional rate of 25% of the prevailing rate.
• The State government will collect the land revenue from the Dharavi Redevelopment Project Private Limited (DRPPL), the special purpose vehicle (SPV), and pay it to the Central government.
• The DRPPL will bear the cost of resettlement of the labourers working on the land, and other incidental costs for the acquisition of the land.
• But the court cases and other legal matters will be handled through the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), a government body.
• The land will be used for rental housing, slum rehabilitation, and affordable housing for economically weaker sections.
• The DRPPL is an SPV in which an Adani Group entity holds 80% stake and the State government has a 20% stake.
• The land will be leased to the Maharashtra government for a period of 99 years, and it cannot be used for commercial activities.

What are the concerns?

• Urban planners and environmentalists say that an impact assessment study needs to be done before opening up large packs of land for intensive activities like housing.
• They also say that the salt pan lands on the Eastern Express Highway have played an important role in keeping the eastern suburbs free from flooding.
• The most important demand with respect to the Dharavi project has been for in-situ rehabilitation.
• Urban planners point out that handing over land parcels in different parts of the city for a developer will lead to formation of ghettos.
• They also say that the impact of hyperactivity on ecologically sensitive areas needs to be studied.

What lies ahead?

• Land Transfer:
  • The Centre will transfer land ownership to the State government.
• Project Approval:
  • The State government will give the go-ahead to DRPPL once the project plans are approved.
  • DRPPL must secure approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change before moving forward.
• Legal Concerns:
  • Environmentalists anticipate potential legal challenges, suggesting the process can be contested in court.
• Litigation:
  • As per a Government Resolution (GR) issued by Maharashtra, any litigation related to this matter will be handled by DRP, a government body.

-Source: The Hindu