Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 21: A new bird park spread across 20.1 hectares will be developed at Bhandup, about 4 km from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) upcoming Mulund aviary, offering visitors the opportunity to observe around 250 species of migratory birds in their natural habitat.

The project will be located within the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary and is aimed at promoting eco-tourism while conserving the area's rich biodiversity.

Mulund MLA Mihir Kotecha said the Bhandup Bird Park and the Mulund aviary would complement each other by offering two distinct bird-watching experiences. While the Mulund aviary will feature enclosures housing 22 different bird species, the Bhandup park will allow visitors to observe nearly 250 species of migratory birds in the wild without disturbing their natural environment.

Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar has sanctioned Rs 45 crore for the development of the Bhandup nature park.

According to Kotecha, the project will include eco-friendly tourism infrastructure designed to minimise environmental impact. Planned facilities include a bird-viewing deck, where visitors can observe migratory birds from a safe distance, and an interpretation centre built using sustainable materials such as wood and bamboo to educate visitors about the sanctuary's ecosystem, bird species and conservation efforts.

The project has already received the required Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance, clearing a major regulatory hurdle and paving the way for its implementation.

The proposed bird park is expected to strengthen Mumbai's eco-tourism offerings while enhancing awareness about the ecological significance of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, which serves as an important habitat for flamingos and hundreds of other migratory bird species that visit the region annually. It is also expected to complement the nearby Mulund aviary, creating a larger nature tourism circuit in Mumbai's eastern suburbs.