If everything goes to plan, by May 1, Mumbaikars and nature lovers will be able to witness the breathtaking view of the Gorai Creek from a watchtower erected within the creek. Another key attraction of the mangrove park, being developed by the Mangroves Foundation of the Maharashtra Forest Department, is a 740-metre-long boardwalk passing through the dense mangrove forest. On Friday, mid-day visited the Gorai area, where the mangrove park is taking shape, and observed that the work is progressing at a rapid pace.

Deepak Khade, divisional forest officer of the Mangrove Cell-Mumbai, said, “The intention behind setting up a mangrove park with a nature interpretation centre, an 740-metre boardwalk through the mangrove forest, and a watchtower for bird observation is to educate and create awareness among people about the importance of the mangrove ecosystem and the biodiversity it supports. More than 90 per cent of the work is complete, and the construction of the multi-level nature interpretation centre is also progressing swiftly. If the remaining work is completed on time, we plan to open the park to the public on May 1, which coincides with State Formation Day.”