Mumbai’s extensive mangrove cover is facing renewed environmental concerns as the city accelerates several large-scale infrastructure projects, including a proposed 26-km coastal road that is expected to impact around 45,000 mangrove trees.
Environmentalists have warned that the loss of mangroves could weaken the city’s natural protection against flooding, storm surges and the long-term effects of climate change, particularly as Mumbai continues to experience intense monsoon rainfall and rising sea levels.
Every year, heavy rains inundate several parts of Mumbai, disrupting transport and affecting daily life. Experts attribute the recurring flooding to rapid urbanisation, inadequate drainage infrastructure and the city’s low-lying coastal geography, making natural ecosystems such as mangrove forests increasingly vital.
Mangroves play a crucial role in protecting coastlines by absorbing wave energy through their dense root systems, reducing erosion and acting as a natural buffer against tidal surges.
“Mumbai is an island city. It is created out of reclaimed land, so the sea is always pushing in. You’re always under attack and the land is getting eroded,” said Stalin Dayanand, director of environmental group Vanashakti.
“Mangroves form the natural defence against these surges and tidal inundations. Climate change, when the sea level increases, the pressure of the sea also increases. So these are the things that stand in the way of destruction,” he added.
The concerns have intensified as Mumbai continues to invest in major transport and connectivity projects aimed at reducing congestion and improving mobility across the metropolitan region.
Among the largest of these is the proposed 26-km coastal road, which authorities estimate will affect approximately 45,000 mangrove trees during construction. The project has sparked opposition from environmental groups and residents, who argue that the removal of such a large number of mangroves could increase the city’s vulnerability to flooding, coastal erosion and extreme weather events.
Conservationists have stressed that while infrastructure development remains essential for Mumbai’s growth, protecting the city’s mangrove ecosystems is equally important to strengthen climate resilience and safeguard coastal communities against future environmental risks.
Source: CNA
