In A City Running Out of Green, This Vast Vikhroli Mangrove Has Protected Mumbai for 4 Decades

This article is sponsored by Godrej Enterprises Group.

If you’ve ever driven from Mumbai towards Thane on the Eastern Express Highway, you might have felt a gradual dip in temperature of up to five degrees. As you pass Ghatkopar and approach Kanjurmarg, your windows fog up slightly, the air cools, and everything seems a little quieter. No, it's not your imagination — it’s the mangroves.

To your right, hidden behind the industrial facade of the city, lies one of Mumbai’s best-kept secrets: a sprawling mangrove forest quietly flourishing within the Godrej Enterprises Group’s Pirojshanagar Township in Vikhroli. 

Spread over thousands of acres, this green lung isn’t just offering a cooler commute — it’s regulating microclimates, filtering air and water, and shielding the city’s eastern shoreline from floods and erosion.

During the monsoon, rainfall in this pocket is often heavier and gentler, absorbed by the thirsty roots of the mangroves. The Creekside Colony, one of three residential clusters near the forest, enjoys what residents call a ‘good’ climate’—cleaner air, less heat, and an occasional chorus of birdsong. All of this is in the middle of a city constantly battling rising temperatures, waterlogging, and air pollution.

But this is just one visible outcome of a much deeper, long-term commitment. Since they acquired the land in the 1940s, Godrej Enterprises Group has chosen to preserve and protect this mangrove ecosystem, not as a CSR project, not for branding, and not as a compliance tick box—but as an act of belief—a belief that business and biodiversity can exist harmoniously. 

That even in the heart of a concrete jungle, a forest can be nurtured — if you care enough to protect it.

From ‘wasteland’ to ecological treasure

Rewind to the 1940s — a time when mangroves were largely misunderstood. Often dismissed as marshy wastelands or potential real estate, they were left unprotected, encroached upon, and plundered for firewood by locals.

That’s when the late Sohrabji Godrej, a nature lover and industrialist, saw something others didn’t — an ecosystem worth preserving. Under his guidance, Godrej initiated one of India’s first scientific explorations in the 1980s. 

The work, led in consultation with none other than Dr Salim Ali, India’s most respected ornithologist, laid the foundation for the conservation strategy that followed. “We didn’t just fence the forest and call it preservation. The early work involved a four-year baseline study — one of the first doctorate-level research projects on mangrove conservation in India,” shares Tejashree Joshi, Head of Environmental Sustainability at Godrej Enterprises Group.

This research uncovered not just which species lived here, but how they survived, coexisted or were at risk.. “At the time when the term ‘mangrove’ was confused with ‘mango’, this research provided the foundation and a science-backed roadmap: what to protect, where to intervene, and most importantly, why,” shares an expert from the team.

How science rooted the forest’s future

Armed with data and information, the Godrej team rolled out a three-pronged conservation model that still guides the initiative today:

• Research: Baseline biodiversity studies, continuous ecological monitoring, species inventory updates.
• Conservation: Securing the forest, replanting native mangroves, controlling access, and preventing exploitation.
• Creating awareness: Educating employees, local communities, and schoolchildren through immersive, long-term engagement. 

This wasn't about ticking the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) boxes — the work began decades before the term or even laws even existed.

“This initiative is not part of our CSR. It’s funded internally and has been since day one. That matters, because it reflects genuine belief rather than compliance,” Joshi explains.

Why Mumbai’s mangroves matter now more than ever

Mangroves are often called the guardians of the coast, and in Mumbai, that’s more truth than metaphor. These salt-tolerant forests act as natural infrastructure, quietly protecting the city from climate shocks.

“Mangroves trap carbon dioxide, provide oxygen, protect against erosion, and serve as nurseries for aquatic life. In a coastal city like Mumbai, their value cannot be overstated,” shares Dr. Ninad, the expert.

1. Natural climate defence

With intensifying monsoons and rising sea levels, Mumbai’s flood risk grows each year. Mangroves act like sponges, absorbing excess rainwater and buffering coastlines from storm surges.

“What we’ve realised through research is that mangroves play a vital role in stormwater drainage. When natural outlets are clogged or encroached upon, water can't flow out into the sea — that’s when Mumbai floods. Mangroves help maintain that crucial flow,” says Joshi.

2. A powerful carbon sink

Mangroves store carbon at rates far greater than terrestrial forests. Godrej’s mangroves alone have sequestered 2.3 million tonnes of CO₂, continuing to lock away 60,000 tonnes annually, — a critical contribution in a city battling air pollution and rising emissions.

3. Lifelines for biodiversity

These ecosystems support over 500 documented species, from kingfishers to vulnerable raptors like the steppe eagle and even golden jackals. “The food web here is deeply interlinked. We’ve even had migratory birds return after years — a sign that we’re doing something right,” notes the expert. 

Mangroves are critical for three main biological functions:

• Feeding: Aquatic species depend on the mangrove ecosystem for forage.
• Breeding: Fish and crabs lay eggs in the protective tangle of mangrove roots.
• Nesting: Many bird species, including long-distance migratory birds, nest or rest here during their journeys.

4. Community shield

Mangroves don’t just benefit wildlife — they directly support local communities. Fishing, foraging, and even tourism are often dependent on healthy coastal ecosystems.

“If you remove mangroves, you’re not just cutting down trees — you’re destroying the livelihoods of people who depend on them,” says the expert, pointing to both economic and social loss.

Godrej’s conservation team works closely with local fishermen. Their traditional knowledge and daily interaction with the water help track changes in tide patterns, fish populations, and even the occasional distress call, like when a flamingo is found injured.

Gaining the trust of the fishing community

One of the initiative's most understated aspects is its deep engagement with the local fishing community. In the early years, conservation often meant fencing off areas, but that could risk alienating those who had traditionally depended on these spaces.

Godrej took a different approach: they listened.

The fisherfolk helped them understand tide cycles, sediment shifts, and fish migration patterns. In return, they were involved in species documentation, even adding common local names to the mangrove app. 

This two-way trust built something rare: community-backed conservation. Locals began voluntarily reporting unusual species found in nets, sharing indigenous ecological knowledge, and even helping raise awareness about protecting the forest. 

What conservation looks like today

Today, the Wetlands Management Services team monitors, documents and protects this unique landscape, where 16 species of mangroves and associates grow, and a stunning 212 bird species, 85 butterfly species, 31 reptile species, 6 mammal species, 22 fish species, 

14 crab species, 7 prawn species, 82 spider species and more than 100 other insect species. 

Godrej has also documented several avifauna species that are ‘Vulnerable’ as per the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in its mangrove forest, such as the Eurasian eagle (Bubo bubo), steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis), and tawny eagle (Aquila rapax).

“You don’t find this kind of biodiversity in cities. “It’s proof that nature bounces back — if you give it space,” shares the expert, which also allows them to constantly collaborate with researchers and scientists to understand if any intervention is required in this fragile ecosystem.

Their work includes:

• Regular patrolling to prevent encroachments or illegal tree felling.
• A mangrove nursery for replantation efforts across Maharashtra.
• Monthly biodiversity assessments using GIS and remote sensing.
• Maintaining themed gardens focused on butterflies, palms and medicinal plants — each with 100+ native species.

Awareness that goes beyond posters

Awareness isn’t an afterthought — it’s embedded in every part of the Godrej mangrove story.

From employee inductions that include mangrove walks to hosting 12,000+ visitors annually for guided trails, all for free of cost, the initiative has reached tens of thousands of minds. But it’s not just about nature walks, it’s also to cultivate the idea of mangrove conservation from a young age.

One standout initiative is ‘Magical Mangroves’, a long-running environmental education programme in collaboration with WWF India. The programme introduces students across seven states to the ecological value of mangroves and has created a generation of young eco-champions who understand not only what mangroves are but also why they matter.

“We’ve done quizzes, film screenings, school debates, and even a first-of-its-kind mobile app — all designed to make mangroves relatable,” Karkhanis shares.

The Plural Biodiversity app helps users identify mangroves, their threats, and their conservation value. Available in 10 Indian coastal languages and three global ones, it’s now used across diverse states and countries.

During the pandemic, these tools proved vital in keeping engagement alive, even when the forest was off-limits.

What it takes to protect a forest in the heart of the city

While the achieved success is highly commendable, the journey hasn’t been without hurdles, many of them invisible at first glance.

One major challenge is solid waste. At the intersection of land and water, mangroves naturally trap debris, but they’re now inundated with garbage.

“Mangroves get a lot of solid waste from non-point sources — areas far away that still drain into this ecosystem,” explains Joshi. “While they do help filter this waste, their capacity to cope is not infinite.”

Equally troubling is declining water quality, fuelled by greywater discharge and untreated runoff from nearby human settlements. Already operating in harsh, saline, and shifting tidal conditions, mangroves are now burdened by pollutants that push sensitive species to the brink.

“Mangrove species like Avicennia marina have adapted, but others are disappearing from urban coastlines altogether,” Joshi adds.

Then there’s the pressure of urban expansion. As Mumbai’s population grows, natural ecosystems, often dismissed as “unused”, become prime targets for development. “These areas need to be highlighted and protected,” Joshi urges. “They’re not just open land; they provide vital ecosystem services that cities depend on.”

“Mangroves may seem hardy, but beyond a point, degradation is irreversible,” adds the expert.

Even within a protected campus, the Godrej team finds itself constantly defending boundaries and biodiversity, holding the line against a tide of indifference.

Mangroves do what concrete can’t

Despite the challenges, the Wetlands Management Team continues to delve into conservation, and their efforts are paying off. 

The mangroves act as a carbon sink, flood barrier, and bio-filtration system. It’s living, breathing climate infrastructure. “It’s the most underrated climate infrastructure we have. And yet, we’ve built over much of it elsewhere,” Joshi warns.

A living example of what’s possible when cities put nature first

What Godrej has built isn’t just a conservation story — it’s a replicable blueprint for urban India.

In rapidly expanding cities like Mumbai, the pressure to convert every patch of green into grey is immense. Yet mangroves remind us that not all ‘vacant’ land is unproductive — some of it is quietly doing the critical work that keeps cities liveable. From reducing the urban heat island effect and absorbing CO₂ to preventing floods and protecting coastal infrastructure, mangroves offer nature-based solutions to urban challenges that concrete can’t fix. 

“If we could protect this in the 80s — before ESG, before climate anxiety — then others can do it now. It’s never too late to let nature breathe,” says the expert.

“We need to stop looking at natural ecosystems as land banks and start seeing them as living infrastructure,” says Tejashree Joshi. “They are not a luxury — they are a necessity for future-ready cities.”

Their conservation approach also factors in education and behavioural change, which are essential pillars of sustainable planning. Through community walks, employee engagement, and large-scale outreach, Godrej is shaping how citizens perceive and value natural ecosystems.

The initiative has also been recognised by the UNDP and India’s Ministry of Environment, through its designation as an OECM (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measure) — one of only a handful of privately held lands in India to receive this.

In a city where every square metre is monetised, Godrej’s decision to let the forest grow, rather than build, is both radical and reassuring — and a blueprint for what climate-resilient urban development can look like.

“This isn’t something we brag about. We just do it — year after year, species by species, with science and soul,” Joshi says.

And maybe that’s what makes it matter even more. It’s not loud, not performative. It’s a quiet commitment that’s grown into a sanctuary for biodiversity, a shield for the city, and a powerful reminder that climate leadership starts at home — with mud on your boots and mangroves at your feet.

In a city fighting to breathe, this is where the air still smells of salt and leaves. And if we’re lucky, it always will!

Edited by Leila Badyari Castelino; All images courtesy Godrej EnterprisesGroup