Environmentalists are optimistic about the realization of their long-standing proposal for a mangrove park in the city, as the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has included the project in its 2025-26 budget proposals.
NatConnect Foundation recalled that former Konkan Divisional Commissioner Jagdish Patil, who also led the High Court-mandated Mangrove Protection and Conservation Committee, had supported the idea of establishing a mangrove park to educate people on the importance of these tidal plants.
The proposal first emerged in January 2019, amid widespread destruction of mangroves in the Uran area due to NMSEZ and JNPA activities, NatConnect director B.N. Kumar said. Activists have since renewed their demand, especially as the State Mangrove Cell progresses with a similar project in Gorai, expected to be completed by May.
NMMC City Engineer Shirish Aradwad confirmed that the civic body will collaborate with the state forest department to set up the mangrove park. Additionally, NMMC has planned a butterfly park near Palm Beach Marg in Nerul, where a large number of host plants will be cultivated.
Green groups have also welcomed the upcoming Gorai mangrove trail, emphasizing its role in educating citizens about the ecological significance of mangroves. These natural barriers protect coastal areas from tsunamis, tidal surges, and storms while serving as crucial breeding grounds for fish and crabs. Unlike terrestrial forests, which require significant investment, mangroves regenerate naturally, making them an effective and cost-efficient environmental safeguard.
In response to calls for increasing the city’s green cover to combat air pollution, NMMC has committed to planting 45,000 saplings, aiming to expand the green zone by 40 hectares. The civic body also plans to install static fog cannon machines at eight locations and deploy dust suppression vehicles.
Environmentalists have urged NMMC to develop a comprehensive environmental policy, incorporating rainwater harvesting and solar power usage across civic office buildings as an initial step.
NatConnect had earlier proposed that all new buildings be mandated to implement solar power, rainwater harvesting, and waste recycling measures. The organization also stressed that urban garbage management should not be solely an NMMC responsibility but a community-driven initiative.
Furthermore, activists have called on NMMC to reclaim all open spaces and prevent CIDCO from approving new developments in the city.
Instead of allowing unchecked redevelopment that contributes to the concrete jungle, the focus should be on creating urban forests, said activist Madhu Shankar. She cited the green spaces developed in Kopar Khairane and Nerul as successful models and emphasized the need for similar initiatives in Parsik Hills, as well as in areas such as Vashi, Nerul, Sanpada, Airoli, and the MIDC industrial belt.
