Mumbai: A first-of-its-kind Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre for biodiversity conservation and serve as a gateway to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, opened in Airoli on Sunday.
“We have mangroves and extraordinary marine life along our coast. But it is necessary to bring in awareness among students and general public about [this] marine biodiversity,” said N. Vasudevan, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Mangroves Cell. He added that unless there is awareness, the need for conservation of such resources will be neglected.
The centre will have nature interpreters who will guide visitors in boat trips around the mangroves. An audio-visual room will provide information on marine life and mangrove conservation, and a marine museum will be set up soon. There will also be a boardwalk over the mangroves, for which money has already been allocated.
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The centre also plans to involve indigenous communities, such as fisherfolk from the area. “[People from] the local communities will be trained as guides and nature interpreters. At the same time, we will train the local women to make products which they can exhibit in the gift shop, and run the shop at the same time,” Mr. Vasudevan said.
The Costal and Marine Biodiversity Centre is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and GIZ India.