Visitors to the proposed Dahisar mangrove park would not only be able to enjoy long walks on transparent boardwalks but also visit an elevated 'interpretation centre' and go boating in the creek surrounding the dense mangroves.
Mangrove cell officials said the plan to develop the park as an interactive centre for visitors is underway. Entry to the park will be near the D-Mart junction on the Dahisar Link Road, while provisions will also be made to ferry the tourists on an electric cart.
"There is already an existing road, which was previously used to transport salt from the salt pan. This would be relaid and made available for pedestrians and electric carts," said a mangrove cell official, who added that no construction work will be carried out in the park, nor will there be any need to cut or remove additional mangroves.
A 400-metre mangrove trail has been proposed through the forest, to allow visitors a deeper interaction with the natural habitat. A few "pause points" would also be designated along the pathway, where visitors can rest and learn additional information. There will also be a water retention pond, mangrove nursery, mud crab pane, and a selfie point.
The Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC), considered the heart of the project, would be placed strategically within the dense mangrove forest, and won't be visible unless one reached its entrance. "The NIC will be elevated, and is designed like a skywalk, which ensures minimal interference of the structure with the land below, and gives one a sense of floating in the air. It will function as a learning centre, so it will be interactive and educational," the plan said.
One of the biggest highlights of the plan is the boat rides that will be offered from a small jetty that's being constructed within the park and will go through a thick mangrove cover. "Possibilities are also being explored to have similar boat rides right from Borivali Jetty near Gorai," a senior mangrove cell official added.
MANGROVE TRAIL
- A 400-metre mangrove trail has been planned, to allow visitors “deeper interaction”.
- Pause points would be designated, where visitors can rest and learn more information.
