Navi Mumbai: In a pioneering initiative along the Navi Mumbai coastline, the plantation of a rare mangrove species — Rhizophora mucronata, known for its distinctive top-flowing roots — has proven to be a success with 100% survival rate.
In June 2023, 2,300 saplings of Rhizophora mucronata were planted at a mangrove restoration site near Vashi railway station, as part of the Prime Minister’s MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes) scheme. The state mangrove cell has confirmed that all plantations survived.
Avicennia marina is the prevalent mangrove species in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, including Navi Mu-mbai, with Rhizophora muc-ronata typically found along Mumbai’s western coast, making this experiment a landmark achievement in enhancing regional biodiversity.
The mangrove site near Vashi station endured considerable destruction due to unauthorised aquaculture practices by residents who blocked tidal flows and axed many mangrove trees to create a half-hectare pond for shrimp and crab farming.
Range forest officer of the state mangrove cell Sudhir Manjare and his team first removed the illegal bund and then planted the new mangroves. “Around 1ft-high saplings were planted in 2023, which have grown up to more than 8ft now with 100% survival,” said Manjare. “The project’s success also validates the effectiveness of the MISHTI in promoting sustainable coastal habitat restoration, while providing insights for future mangrove conservation efforts in similar environments. A mere Rs 2,500 was spent for the plantation of saplings in around 50,000 sq ft area.” said Manjare. This successful experiment may be implemented at other mangrove restoration sites in Navi Mumbai.
NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar said the combination of the newly introduced Rhizophora mucronata and naturally occurring Avicennia marina would create a thriving green space. He cited a comparable success in Uran, where mangroves regenerated naturally after removing obstacles to tidal water flow, without requiring human intervention.