Navi Mumbai to get Glow Garden in 18 months, just like in Dubai

Mumbai; State forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Sunday announced that Navi Mumbai will have a ‘Glow Garden’ akin to the one in Dubai in the next 18 months. The minister said the aim is to enable Mumbaikars who cannot afford to visit Dubai to enjoy a similar experience by visiting the garden in Navi Mumbai.

Mr Mungantiwar was speaking after inaugurating the state’s first Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre in Airoli. Mr Mungantiwar said that on Monday, which is Maharashtra Day, anyone visiting the sanctuary or the centre would not be charged. The minister also announced that once a week, children from a municipal school would be taken to the centre for free.

This centre, which is a part of the Thane Flamingo Sanctuary, will not only provide nature enthusiasts a better understanding of the marine biodiversity but also offer visitors boat rides to savour the sight of the flamingos.

The 7,000 square feet centre’s first phase, which was thrown open for the public on Sunday, will have a second phase that will include various marine biodiversity exhibiting whales, dolphins and turtles. As part of the first phase, a total of 600 species will be displayed at the centre. Some of the exhibits were made in Germany and have been shipped to the city.

Flamingos take flight at the flamingo sanctuary at Airoli. (Photo: Shripad Naik)

Though the visitors will be able to visit the sanctuary for free on Monday, an adult from Tuesday will be charged Rs 50, a senior citizen Rs 40, a school student Rs 25 (ID compulsory) for the interpretation centre. However, the boat ride from Tuesday onwards will cost Rs 250 per person. The one-hour ride will cover the majority of the sanctuary area.

Mr Mungantiwar, who inaugurated a biodiversity centre in Mahabaleshwar too on Sunday, appealed to people to help save biodiversity. He said, “The forest department is trying its best to conserve biodiversity and marine life.”

The centre is 2.3 kilometre away from Airoli station and is less than a kilometre from Airoli bridge. Visitors visiting the centre may take either of the two to reach. While coming from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, one has to take a train to Thane and change to harbour line to reach Airoli station. If one is coming from western line, he/she has to change to Central line at Dadar to continue till Thane and change to harbour for Airoli.

How to get there
The centre is 2.3 km from Airoli station and is less than a km from Airoli bridge. Visitors may take either of the two to reach the centre. While coming from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, one has to take a train to Thane and change to harbour line to reach Airoli station. If using western line, he/she has to change to central line at Dadar to continue till Thane and change to harbour for Airoli.