Eco-tourism: 80 hectares in Mumbai’s Dahisar reserved for mangrove park

Following the state forest department’s interest in developing a mangrove park in Mumbai, the Development Control and Promotions regulations (DCPR) has reserved a plot, marked as Natural Area, in Dahisar. The proposal now seeks suggestions and objections from citizens.

Natural Area is a type of reservation in DCPR for lands that are environmentally sensitive, and where development is restricted.

Vivek More, deputy chief engineer of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) DP department, said, “The BMC had only proposed a reservation for the mangrove park, but had not specified an area for it. It has now been marked by the state government in Dahisar. Despite this, we will ensure no construction is allowed in the area.”

N Vasudevan, additional principal chief conservator of forest, and the state mangrove cell, said, “We had written to the BMC for the plot in Dahisar, to boost eco-tourism in the area. It will have boating, mangrove trails and bird watching spots.”

The DCPR provides for board walks in mangroves, trekking facilities and public sanitation for visitors. While it is silent on the area required for the mangrove park, an official from the forest department said, “When we proposed the plan to the BMC, we envisioned an area of around 80 hectares to be reserved for the park. While no development will take place within the area, leaving mangroves untouched, citizens will be able to skirt them using wooden boards. This will make sure the roots of mangroves are intact, and the ecosystem is preserved.”