This trust would comprise five members — two nominated members from Godrej and Boyce, two eminent citizens and will be headed by the chief secretary of the state, said Rajendra Manglurkar, joint secretary of the state Revenue and Forest department.

Manglurkar said, “this trust will be involved in watching over the forest and saving them for any impending destruction. They will also be responsible to develop this mangrove tracts and maintain them.”

The committee also said that fund collected from ‘illegal’ residents for regularising their homes should be partially used in protection and development of the mangroves in the region. The remaining funds will be used to afforest other regions of the state, Manglurkar said.

These mangroves on the western banks of Thane are the single largest mangrove belt in Mumbai, a substantial tract of which is adjoining the Godrej & Boyce Township. Since 1985, the Soonabai Pirojsha Godrej Foundation has been maintaining these tracts.