The Mangroves of Mumbai by Kavita Shivdasani 26/7/2014

The Grey Mangroves

Bound by Vashi Bridge, Eastern Express Highway, Ghatkopar and Bhandup lies the largest stretch of privately owned densely forested Mangrove swamps. The Godrej family purchased about 2000 acres of Mangrove land in 1940 at the princely sum of INR 45 per acre at an auction arranged by The Bombay High Court on behalf of the government of India.

Although the Godrej family set up their factory in the vicinity of the mangrove forests they have protected this stretch thus far. The protection of this coastal forest is vital to our ecosystem as they act like a buffer between the sea and the land and reduce erosion. The exposed roots act as a breeding ground for various marine creatures, a source of wood for fire and building houses. The extract from their bark and leaves are used as herbal remedies. They provide fodder for cattle in coastal regions. The list is of course endless.

Mangroves refer to trees of medium height and large shrubs which adapted to saline soil along the coastal regions in tropical and subtropical lands. At a time when the earth was densely covered with trees the lack of space forced certain varieties of trees and shrubs to adapt to saline coastal conditions, especially along the inter-tidal space. These plants did so by developing stilt roots to elevate the plant above the water and breathing roots that appear to look like “pegs” dotting the swampy soil at low tide. These root adaptations enabled the trees to breathe even when their lower roots were submerged. They also developed a mechanism in their leaves to pump out excess salt. Thus came into being the Mangroves and their associates like the “meswak”.

peg roots

On 26^th July 2014 we were treated to a vista of grey mangrove from the viewing tower and had an opportunity to take a look at the stilt roots of the red and orange mangroves. To round off the entire experience of hobnobbing with the mangroves we ventured onto the narrow walkway constructed on the swamp between thick mass of mangrove shrubs on either side only to have run out at top speed when we were engulfed by an equally thick cloud mosquitoes. The silver lining we were informed was that “these mosquitoes are not malarial”! Amen to that.