After the inauguration of the Mangrove Wetland Centre in Bhandup in March, a similar proposal has been chalked out for Navi Mumbai. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today oversaw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the three parties involved in the setting up of the Centre.

The tripartite agreement was signed by Chief Conservator of Forests Shree Bhagwan from the Forest Department, City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd (CIDCO) Managing Director G S Gill and Debi Goenka of the Conservation Action Trust.

“The master plan for the Mangrove Wetland Centre in Navi Mumbai will be ready in 12 months, with CIDCO bearing the cost of the entire project,” said Mangrove Wetland Centre Director Vivek Kulkarni. A structured committee, called the Project Steering Committee, will be set up to oversee the planning and execution of the project.

The committee will be chaired by the CIDCO MD and include secretaries and senior officers from the government, along with non-governmental organisation (NGO) representatives.

“CIDCO recently declared an area of approximately 277 hectare for the development of mangroves. The idea is to protect and conserve mangroves while simultaneously promoting tourism,” said Gill.

Of the land being used for the project, 5 hectare will lie outside the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and mangrove. “The building and Centre will come up within the 5 hectare, after the Forest Department makes sure that there is no violation,” informed Kulkarni.

The facility has a carrying capacity of around half a million people a year, and will have elevated bird walks and watch towers. The Centre is being planned by a Singapore-based architect, along with local architects.

While the design for the Centre is still being prepared, a marine aquarium is also being planned. “The Centre will have various trails but none of them will cause any harm to the existing mangrove population. We have modelled our Mangrove Wetland Centre on the lines of the ones in Singapore and Hong-Kong — as opposed to London’s Eco-Park — as their climate is somewhat similar to ours,” explained Gill.

“Subject to approval, we are looking at February 2011 as a possible inauguration target. Some centres may open earlier, to cater to education groups, students etc,” said Kulkarni. Planning for the project began over three months ago, he added.

“It is a four-pronged system, beginning with conservation and proceeding to education, research and recreation in that order of priority. Each one has a 10-year plan that is being written by the Forest Department,” said Kulkarni.