Salute Mumbai's green fences

Across the world, environmentalists and nature lovers will celebrate World Wetlands Day today. These fragile zones, which are home to precious flora and fauna, must be protected. With the help of this handy guide from the Bombay Natural History Society, play eco warrior and visit our city's green guardians

Across the world, environmentalists and nature lovers will celebrate World Wetlands Day today. These fragile zones, which are home to precious flora and fauna, must be protected. With the help of this handy guide from the Bombay Natural History Society, play eco warrior and visit our city's green guardians

Sewri
These wetlands that start from Sewri and extend till Trombay are in a zone that experiences both high and low tides. During low tides the mudflats are visible, which are a good feeding ground for waders. Around 150 species of birds are found there, including flamingos. The Sewri mangroves are semi circular in shape and the north-south area stretches across approximately 8-10 kms.


Mangroves around Mumbai. Pic Courtesy/ Dr Swapna Prabhu

Dahisar
The west of Dahisar, along the Manori Creek in north Mumbai, is another dense patch of wetland. It's where the Dahisar River flows into the creek. This wetland that extends towards the Uttan Hills on one side is good for birds. "This is a place, where the mangrove habitat merges with the terrestrial habitat. It is endangered and faces a lot of encroachment problems," informs Atul Sathe, public relations officer, BNHS.

Vikhroli
The Vikhroli wetlands are one of the most dense and undisturbed patches of wetlands around the city because industry house Godrej has protected it. It starts around the lines of the Eastern Express highway upto the Thane creek. The total area is approximately 4,000 acres. This mangrove area has a watchtower inside. Interested folk who wish to view the entire area, will need to seek permission from the landowners and can access the watch tower. Apart from these, the city is also marked by many other important wetlands like the areas around the Malwani creek, Manori creek,u00a0 Chembur and Thane.u00a0

Log on to www.bnhs.org for more details on World Wetlands Day-related activities

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