09 March,2026 06:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Aaditya Thackeray. File Photo
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray has written to Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, urging him to inaugurate and open the Gorai mangrove park for the public at the earliest.
In a post on X, Thackeray said the project was initiated during his tenure as Maharashtra's Environment Minister between 2019 and 2022 and was completed last year. However, despite several dates being announced for its inauguration, the facility has not yet been opened to citizens.
He said the mangrove park and interpretation centre would help people better understand the ecological importance of mangroves and encourage greater public engagement with coastal ecosystems.
Thackeray also pointed out that he had written to the minister earlier in May last year requesting the opening of the facility, but the park continues to remain closed.
He said opening the park would bring citizens closer to mangroves and highlight their importance in protecting coastal biodiversity.
Highlighting the focus on mangrove conservation during his tenure as minister, Thackeray said the state government had granted protection under the Indian Forest Act to nearly 15,000 hectares of mangroves across Maharashtra within 11 months.
He urged the forest department to make the Gorai mangrove park accessible to the public at the earliest, stating that the initiative would help raise awareness about mangrove conservation and strengthen efforts to protect these crucial coastal ecosystems.
The mangrove park is spread across 8 hectares, and the key attraction is the 740-metre-long boardwalk that has been made without cutting a single mangrove tree. Once operational, mangrove trails and bird observations will be organised with the help of naturalists who will educate visitors about the mangrove ecosystem and biodiversity.
The park will also have a touch-based system that will provide information on the flora and fauna of mangrove ecosystems. The project has been approved by the Maharashtra State Eco-Tourism Board and has been designated as an âeco-tourism project'.
Nature Interpretation Centre: A two-storey facility with a rooftop restaurant, gift shop, workshops, library, audio visual room, information desk and an 80 per cent solar power system.
Viewing deck: A large deck at the end of the boardwalk offers wide views of the creek.
