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Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Country's first mangrove park at Gorai set to open in next two months; entry won't be free
The country's first mangrove park, which is being constructed at Gorai at a cost of over Rs 33 crore, will have an entry fee, officials said. The park is in the final stages of construction and will be opened for the public in the next two months most likely before August 15, the officials added. The park, sprawling over 8 hectares in Gorai village, is being built by the Mangrove Cell of the state government. The park will comprise several elements that will enable visitors to walk through, experience and learn about the mangrove ecosystem and learn about its unique biodiversity. A key feature of the park is a 750-metre-long wooden boardwalk that traverses through mangroves. At the end of the walkway lies a viewing deck, where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding creek. Similar to the newly opened nature trail in Malabar Hills, this elevated walkway was built without disturbing the mangrove ecosystem. 'We have sent a proposal to the state government to implement an entry fee. The revenue generated will be used on maintenance and upkeep of the park. The proposal is yet to be cleared by the government following which ticket rates will be fixed,' said a senior official from the state forest department. 'At present, the final stages of construction are in progress like polishing the surface, final painting works and setting up lighting and other ancillary details. We expect these works to be completed in the next one month. After that the park will be opened to the public,' the official said. Built at a cost of Rs 33.43 crore, construction began in 2021 and the project was earmarked as a forest reserve. For bird watchers, the project also has an 18-metre-tall watch tower, allowing visitors to observe the avian species that thrive in the area. The watchtower also offers expansive views of the mangroves and creek. Also, in a bid to impart vital education and recreation, the Mangrove Cell has also constructed a two-storey Nature Interpretation Centre. Here, visitors can read and learn about mangroves and its biodiversity through informative boards, panels, and books at the library and information centre. Additionally, the structure will feature a rooftop restaurant and a nature-themed gift shop. To ensure minimal impact on the fragile fauna and flora, the project was executed with eco-friendly materials, solar energy and elevated walkways. Meanwhile, on Saturday, Aaditya Thackeray, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA and former environment minister, took to his social media profile X and claimed the project was originally mooted by him. 'Hearing that this Mangrove Park in Gorai that we started work on in October 2021, will finally be open to everyone soon. Happy to see that just like the Tree Top walk in Malabar Hill, Urban Forest in Marol that I had the honour and privilege to initiate as Minister in the MVA, this too, something I kickstarted, will open up soon for people,' he said in his post.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
First mangrove parks to come up at Airoli, Ghansoli
NAVI MUMBAI: Eco-tourism will get a boost in Navi Mumbai with the city's first mangrove parks set to come up in Airoli and Ghansoli. The Maharashtra forest department has appointed a consultant for conceptual design and planning services for the development of the parks, following a tender process. Mumbai, India - March 24, 2015: A stretch of mangrooves, fenced and now accolated to builders, now under the new development plan, near Juhu-Versova Link road, at Andheri, in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. (Photo by Vidya Subramanian/ Hindustan Times) (Hindustan Times) Navi Mumbai, located along the creek, has been developed through reclamation of salt lands and the creek area. The vibrant mangroves jungle along its coastline has played a major role in protecting it from flooding, even during the 26/7 deluge. In the past few years, however, the mangrove jungles have faced destruction and threats in the name of development and from encroachments. Hence, for preservation, the Mangrove Division North Konkan under the Mangrove Cell, Mumbai, has started work on developing an eco-sensitive recreational, educational and conservation infrastructure. CoBOL Architects & Planners has been issued the work order for conceptual and detailed architectural design of the mangrove parks. Said a forest official, 'The parks are aimed at promoting mangrove conservation, education, bio diversity awareness and research through community engagement in compliance with all environmental regulations.' Giving details of the project, he said, 'The parks will include elevated boardwalks, nature interpretation centres and educational and research facilities. There will be visitor amenities, pathways, decks, interpretation centres and signages.' Currently, work is being undertaken on site analysis and environmental assessment in coordination with experts. The consultant will prepare a conceptual and detailed architectural design of mangrove parks following which the development of the park will be taken up by an agency. 'The development of the parks will strictly follow CRZ norms with no cutting of mangroves permitted under any circumstance. Any land diversion will require prior approval from the central government, the High Court and Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA),' the official said. Forest minister Ganesh Naik, who plans to have four such mangrove parks in the city said, 'We are planning a world class facility in the Airoli-Ghansoli belt which is rich in mangroves, flamingos and biodiversity. There are plans for two more mangrove walks at Vashi and Belapur once the current pilot project takes off successfully.'
Indian Express
06-06-2025
- Indian Express
Changing City: India's first Mangrove Park getting ready in Mumbai's Gorai, final work under progess
Mangrove Park in Gorai — Mumbai's new green space and touted as the first-of-its-kind facility in India — is slated to open its doors to the public in July. About the Gorai Mangrove Park The park project, sprawling over 8 hectares in Gorai village, features several elements that will enable visitors to walk through the ecosystem and learn about the biodiversity found within mangroves and coastal systems. According to officials, no trees were hampered during the construction works, which were carried out with an eco-sensitive approach. The project has been developed by the Maharashtra Forest Department's Mangrove Cell. Specifications, features of the project A key feature within the park is a 750-metre-long wooden boardwalk that traverses through the mangroves. At the end of this walkway lies a viewing deck wherein visitors can enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding creek. Similar to the newly opened nature trail in Malabar Hills, this elevated walkway was built without disturbing the ecosystem. Catering to the bird watchers, the project also comprises an 18-meter watch tower allowing visitors to observe the avian species that thrive in the area. This watchtower also offers expansive views of the mangroves and creek. In a bid to impart vital education and recreation, the Mangrove Cell has also constructed a two-story Nature Interpretation Centre. Here visitors can read and learn about the mangrove and its biodiversity through informative boards, panels, and books at the library and the information centre. Additionally, the structure will feature a rooftop restaurant and a nature-themed gift shop. To ensure minimal impact on the fragile fauna and flora, the project was executed through the use of eco-friendly materials, solar energy, and elevated walkways. Cost and timeline The entire project has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 33.43 crore. The construction began in 2021, with the project already earmarked as a forest reserve. Initially slated for inauguration by World Environment Day, June 5, this year, the opening has been postponed to July due to the final stages of construction. Administration speaks: 'Presently, some finishing works and internal exhibits are pending. The entire pending work is expected to be completed in a month's time, when we are eying to open it. Although the costs are yet to be finalised, the park is likely to have a ticket system. The objective behind this is not revenue generation but to recover the costs for maintenance. This project, with its features of a 750-metre boardwalk, watchtower, and nature interpretation centre, will enable citizens to enjoy the views of mangroves and creeks while also gaining information about the mangrove ecosystem and its biodiversity,' said S V Ramarao, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Mangrove Cell.
