Maharashtra’s first mangrove park in Gorai to be inaugurated on May 28

Once opened, visitors will be able to walk along an elevated boardwalk through the mangrove ecosystem. Pic/X (@SanjayRupadhyay)

The inauguration ceremony of Maharashtra's first mangrove park in Gorai has been scheduled for May 28, 2026, BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay announced on Wednesday.

The new park, named Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Mangrove Park, is located in Gorai area of Borivali, and is expected to become a major environmental and tourism attraction in the city.

In a post on X, Upadhyay wrote, "The auspicious muhurat (inauguration) for the inauguration ceremony of Maharashtra's first mangrove park has been finalised."

He stated that the park would be officially inaugurated at 10:30 am on May 28 in presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister and North Mumbai MP Piyush Goyal.

State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar, Additional Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha and former MP Gopal Shetty are also expected to attend the event.

The mangrove park has been developed to promote environmental conservation, awareness and eco-tourism in Mumbai.

Focus on conservation and eco-tourism

Mangroves play an important role in protecting coastal regions, supporting biodiversity and reducing the impact of flooding and climate-related risks.

The officials believe the new mangrove park will help increase public awareness about the importance of preserving mangrove ecosystems while also creating a new green public space for visitors.

About the first-of-its-kind mangrove park

The Gorai mangrove park, developed by the Mangrove Cell of the Maharashtra forest department. The project has been ready for several months, but its inauguration was delayed due to administrative reasons.

Once opened, visitors will be able to walk along an elevated boardwalk through the mangrove ecosystem and learn more about coastal biodiversity.

Mangrove Park features

>> 8-hectare park in Gorai, Mumbai
>> A 740-metre boardwalk built without cutting mangroves
>> Guided mangrove trails with trained naturalists
>> Bird observatory for coastal and mangrove species
>> Touch-based VR system on mangrove flora and fauna
>> Approved Eco-Tourism Project by Maharashtra State Eco-Tourism Board

What the park offers

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. It will also have a 740-metre wooden walkway through the mangroves, designed to offer an immersive experience without disturbing the ecosystem.

Viewing deck: A large deck at the end of the boardwalk offers wide views of the creek.

Bird watching tower: An 18 metre tower for enthusiasts to observe species in the area.