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Mangrove wetland centre still a dream

Two years after the proposal, the blueprint for park, modelled on the one in Hong Kong, is ready bar a few signatures. But, turning over a green leaf is not so easy.

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Mumbaikars may have to fight it out to get the mangrove wetland centre, proposed nearly two years ago on 452 hectares of marshland along the Eastern Express Highway at Bhandup.
Announced on March 3, 2008, by then state forests minister Baban Pachpute, the proposal has since been wrapped in red tape.

According to the proposal, the Conservation Action Trust (CAT) would develop the centre in association with state forests department. But the department has not yet decided whether to forward the proposal to the Union environment ministry.

“Mumbai cannot survive without mangroves. Despite their importance, mangrove forests are being neglected by a majority of the population,” said Debi Goenka of the CAT. “The centre aims to reach out to every resident of the city and increase awareness about the importance of mangroves.”

According to Goenka, the centre will be ready in three years. “The centre would not just be an educational hub, but would also have recreational value,” he said. “The project also aims to provide employment. We will involve local fisherfolk in activities related to the centre, such as guiding the visitors.” 

The idea was actually conceived in 2001. In all, 22 ponds would be developed to attract different birds at the centre. “Every year, around 1.5 million migratory birds visit the area and over 200 species have been recorded,” Goenka said.

There are only two mangrove wetland centres in the world, one in Hong Kong and the other in Singapore. The centre in the city is being developed on the Hong Kong model.

Romulus Whitaker, the man who developed the famous crocodile park in Chennai, will provide guidance on the species of reptiles found in the area. “We aim to include the Thane creek under the Ramsal Convention for Wetlands, which was signed by 140 countries in 1971 to save wetlands all over the world,” Goenka said.

The estimated cost is Rs118 crore. “As of now, the BMC has committed Rs60 crore. We will have to approach funding agencies for the rest,” Goenka said. “But it cannot be done unless the forest department clears the proposal.”

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