Mumbai is set to welcome two new ecological landmarks this winter, with twin mangrove parks coming up in Gorai and Dahisar. The projects, led by the Mangrove Cell and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), aim to blend eco-tourism, education, and conservation to reconnect citizens with the city’s fragile coastal ecosystems.
The Gorai mangrove park, located near the jetty, is in its final phase of development and expected to open on November 15. Developed at an estimated cost of ₹30 crore, the project includes an interpretation centre, elevated wooden boardwalks, and digital installations designed to educate visitors about the ecological importance of mangroves. The 800-metre boardwalk will allow visitors to experience the mangrove habitat without disturbing the natural terrain. Officials emphasised that no trees have been felled for the construction, and that the structure’s design prioritises eco-sensitivity and minimal footprint. The Dahisar mangrove park, covering nearly 30 hectares, is being developed at a higher scale with a ₹80 crore investment. About one hectare of the area will be accessible to the public, featuring a 400-metre trail, an observatory, a crab pond, kayak trails, and a floating jetty connecting Dahisar and Gorai. The park’s location along the Link Road, near Metro Line 2A, underscores its potential as both an urban recreation space and a model for green infrastructure in the metropolis.
In Gorai, the mangrove park is part of a larger integrated tourism and conservation hub being developed by MTDC on 128 acres. The hub will include a Vintage Car Museum, a Wax Museum, a Historical Event Museum, and other attractions such as an aquarium, luxury tent accommodation, and adventure facilities under a public-private partnership model. Around 5,400 metres of the site’s perimeter wall has been completed, while work continues to clear remaining encroachments before December. Experts have welcomed the initiative as a positive step in promoting nature-based tourism while safeguarding biodiversity. However, urban planners caution that all development must remain secondary to conservation objectives. “If designed sensitively, such projects can strengthen urban resilience and generate environmental awareness,” said one expert.
Mangroves play a vital role in carbon sequestration, flood protection, and sustaining marine biodiversity along Mumbai’s coastline. By transforming these neglected patches into public ecological assets, the city moves closer towards aligning urban growth with environmental stewardship.
Mumbai To Get Twin Mangrove Parks Worth Rs 110 Crore At Gorai And Dahisar
