Opinion A rare opportunity for a climate-resilient coastal forest in Mumbai
It challenges the notion that urban development must come at the expense of nature, offering instead a vision of coexistence. We have the opportunity to redefine Mumbai as a model for climate-resilient urbanism. Will we take it?
Recent drone shot of reclamation for the Coastal Road Project. (Photo: Suraj Katra) 
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Once a thriving ecosystem of dense, sprawling mangroves and rocky shores, Mumbai’s coastline has been concreted into oblivion through aggressive land reclamation and infrastructure development projects. In the face of such rapid transformation, marked by climate extremes and a construction boom, the balance between the city’s “development” and its environmental health — and, subsequently, the health of its residents — grows ever more tenuous. Nowhere is this conflict more visible than along the controversial Mumbai Coastal Road, where competing visions for its reclaimed spaces have the potential to either build resilience or endanger us further.
Promisingly, a citizen-led proposal for a coastal forest — one that balances ecological preservation with urban functionality — is gaining ground. The plan envisions a biodiverse urban oasis that could counteract the ecological damage wrought by the Coastal Road while serving as a climate-resilient buffer for the city. Planted with hardy native trees and complemented by limited built form, the proposed forest will provide flood resilience, mitigate urban heat islands, improve air quality, create accessible community spaces, and nurture local biodiversity.
Spearheaded by the Breach Candy Residents Forum (BCRF) — a collective of residents, architects, climate experts, and conservationists — and brought to life by architect Anuradha Parikh, the coastal forest offers a rare and hopeful blueprint for sustainable urban transformation. The proposal has received some traction in conversations with officials from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), including the Municipal Commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani. However, as the Coastal Road barrels toward completion, plans for the reclaimed land remain unspecified. Citizens await a transparent public consultation process, and the window to secure the coastal forest narrows.
Mumbai’s changing and threatened coastline
The Mumbai Coastal Road Project reclaimed 111 hectares of ecologically rich intertidal land from the Arabian Sea, displacing fragile marine ecologies, artisanal fishing communities, and the coastline itself. The fallout is severe. In a city that is regularly ranked as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable, residents are now grappling with heightened flood risks, deteriorating air quality, and expanding urban heat islands.
While 70 hectares of the reclaimed coastland have been earmarked for recreational green spaces, questions remain about how these spaces will be designed and who they will ultimately serve.
The proposed design recommends minimalistic architectural interventions constructed from natural materials, soft earthen pathways that increase ground porosity to soak water in a flood, subtle, unobtrusive lighting to ensure safety without contributing to light pollution, and carefully zoned public access that allows for both community accessibility and ecosystem protection. Rather than fragmenting the land and tying it to specific neighbourhoods, an east-west zoning strategy transforms the expanse into a contiguous forest.
The proposed greening strategy divides the area into three distinct zones: the western zone features open access to the natural space with a few trees, shrubs and grasses. The central zone is designed for walking paths and trails, surrounded by a denser forest incorporating medicinal and fruit-bearing trees. Finally, the eastern zone comprises the densest forest with fuller tree canopies, ensuring restricted entry to maintain privacy and ecological balance. (Credit: Anuradha Parikh and G5A cityLAB)
By planting resilient native grasses and trees like neem, banyan, coconut, and bael, the forest will create habitats for local wildlife while offering shade, food, and medicinal resources. Architect Anuradha Parikh explains the vision: “Rather than imposing manicured gardens or architectural monuments, we can craft a natural monument for the city by drawing on the rich tradition of sacred groves that thrive across Maharashtra,” which has highest number of sacred groves across the country.
The proposed east-west zoning strategy for the Coastal Road promenade transitions from private to public spaces (east to west), represented by the gradient from dark green (dense forest) for enhanced privacy and limited accessibility near residential neighbourhoods, to light green (sparse forest) for increased public engagement. (Credit: Anuradha Parikh and G5A cityLAB)
The ambition to reimagine urban landscapes with nature is not without precedent in Mumbai. With recent projects like the Malabar Hill Forest Trail, designed to minimise environmental impact while promoting public access on a relatively modest budget, the BMC has shown it can lead by example.
Set to open in January 2025, the Malabar Hill Forest Trail is a 705-meter elevated walkway winding through a lush 12-acre forest in the heart of the city. Designed by Rahul Kadri of IMK Architects, the trail offers visitors stunning views of the Arabian Sea while preserving one of the city’s last remaining natural ecosystems. (Credit: Aaran Patel)
A call to collective action
What sets the coastal forest proposal apart is its grassroots ethos. The BCRF has emphasised transparency and inclusivity, calling for the establishment of a joint committee comprising local residents, government officials, and environmental experts to oversee the forest’s implementation and long-term maintenance.
Might the coastal forest serve merely as a cosmetic solution, greenwashing the damage caused by the reclamation itself? Not if it is approached with caution and nuance. Implemented thoughtfully, the coastal forest could become more than a band-aid solution, catalysing a shift in how the city envisions its relationship with nature.
To achieve this, the forest must be embedded within a broader framework of sustainable urban planning. A citizen-led stewardship model, coupled with strong institutional support, could ensure its long-term success. The proposal already aligns with the principles of the Mumbai Climate Action Plan and MCGM’s Urban Greening Handbook, emphasising ecological restoration as a bulwark against the city’s rising temperatures, extreme rainfall, and sea level rise. Additionally, the proposal dovetails with Malabar Hill MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha’s commitment to “develop green forests on ~500 acres surrounding the Coastal Road and Racecourse to improve air quality and provide our families with high-quality open spaces.” These resonances with stated civic priorities highlight the potential for meaningful collaboration between local authorities and citizens.
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A model for climate-resilient urbanism
Despite its promise, the coastal forest is not yet a guaranteed reality. While the BCRF has engaged with MCGM to advocate for this vision, design finalisation, tendering, and contracting remain. Adding to the urgency is Mumbai’s precarious climate trajectory. Projections warn of sea levels rising by 0.5 meters by 2050 and temperatures climbing by up to 2.5°C, underscoring the stakes for the city’s nearly 21 million inhabitants. We are now on the climate frontline.
The proposed coastal forest challenges the notion that urban development must come at the expense of nature, offering instead a vision of coexistence. We now have the opportunity to redefine Mumbai as a model for climate-resilient urbanism, forging a path toward a greener, more liveable future for all. Will we take it?
The writer is an independent journalist and photographer based in Mumbai.
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