Mumbai Coastal Road Project Phase 2: BMC proposes mangrove nurseries to densify, compensate loss of Mumbai’s unique ecosystem

The EoI document states that the BMC secured Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance from the Centre in November last year for executing the project. “The CRZ approval given by the Union ministry has mandated the BMC to have an effective mechanism to restore the impacted environment and habitat,” the document states.

Pegged at Rs 20,000 crore, phase 2 of the Coastal Road will be a 25-km-long high-speed corridor comprising underground tunnels, cable-stayed bridges and interchanges. The alignment of the road has been planned in such a way that it will traverse through mangrove patches, creeks and forest zones. As a result, a significant portion of green cover is set to be affected. To compensate for the loss of green cover, civic authorities have mooted the proposal of mangrove nurseries and habitat centres on land parcels adjoining the alignment of the Coastal Road.

“Complying with the conditions laid down by the authorities, the BMC along with the forest department and state mangrove cell is required to establish mangrove nurseries of different native species as well as habitat restoration centres along the coastline of Mumbai for densification of existing mangrove stretches and to have new mangrove patches on degraded land,” the EoI document states.

For a coastal city like Mumbai, mangrove forests are vital ecosystems that act as natural buffers from coastal erosion, tidal flooding, storm surges, protecting shorelines and communities. The dense root systems stabilise sediments and reduce the impact of waves and currents. The eastern and western shoreline of Mumbai have significant mangrove patches that are identified as mangrove zones. However, with increased encroachment and infrastructure development, these patches have also recorded a reduction in density in the past few decades.

The civic authorities, in the EoI, have said they are eyeing acquiring a total land size of 15 hectares (37 acres) that would run parallel to the western shoreline where the proposed project will be set up. These lands should be contiguous in nature and should also have access to the tidal waters, the EoI states.

Usefulness of mangrove nurseries

The EoI document states that the period of leasing the land to the BMC would be for a minimum 5-10 years.

“The basic idea is to plant mangrove saplings on these land parcels, which will grow fully within a few years. The fully grown mangroves can be transplanted in areas where it might have depleted or can continue to grow at these nurseries. The state mangrove cell is yet to give us (BMC) the exact number or size of mangroves that will be lost during Coastal Road work. Therefore, we have come out with this proposal as a proactive measure to identify land parcels so that the loss of green cover could be compensated well in advance,” a civic official said.

The official added that the saplings planted in these nurseries would eventually be used to densify existing mangrove patches, which will act as a natural buffer zone and boost the existing mangrove ecosystem. According to the official, 15 hectares of additional mangrove patch will also provide a natural barrier to flooding.

“We have floated the EoI as a proactive measure and even if we don’t get any response from interested parties it will not block the progress of the project. We can always approach the forest department for giving us land parcels where mangrove patches can be developed,” the official added.

Civic authorities said once land parcels are shortlisted, the forest department will carry out a feasibility study of soil conditions and tidal water flow to finalise the land parcels.