Mumbai: Artificial coral reefs to come up along Coastal Road

Coastal Road work underway near Haji Ali. Pic/Ashish Raje

The National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is doing a pilot study for installation and monitoring of artificial reefs along the seawall of the area reclaimed for the Coastal Road project. The objective of this project is to measure biological recruitment and enhancement of biodiversity. It will also compare the efficacy of different artificial reef designs. This comes amid concerns that the Coastal Road project will have a negative impact on marine biodiversity.

An official from Mangrove Cell said, "NIO will probably start the work by December. The institute has been busy with tendering and related logistical arrangements. The Mangrove Foundation has sanctioned this project to NIO for a total cost of Rs 88 lakh. Of this, Rs 52 lakh has already been released."

The study area will be located along the lower region of the seawall constructed under the Mumbai Coastal Road Project. A total of six sites have been selected based on the distance and habitat characteristics such as wave action and exposure, nearby bay, proximity to other low tide areas, etc.

Mantayya Swami, chief engineer of Coastal Road project, said, "When the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change gave nod to the Coastal Road project, it set a condition that the authority will give 2 per cent of the total cost of the project to Mangrove Cell. Accordingly, the BMC has paid the Mangrove Cell Rs 175 crore. This pilot project of artificial reefs is being funded with the interest acquired from that amount."

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"The NIO and Mangrove Foundation are creating a special type of wall. If any marine lives develop here, further efforts will be taken to create a favourable condition for their growth," he said, adding that the colony of coral that was transplanted from the Worli coast to Colaba for the project was in good condition and growing.

What are artificial reefs

Artificial reefs are one of the tools used by marine conservationists to restore marine biodiversity and coral reefs around the globe. These are made from a variety of natural or synthetic materials and come in different shapes and styles.

To make artificial reefs, a mould will be designed as per the targeted installation area so the dimensions and design of the prototype have to be planned accordingly. Different types of reef designs will be made to select the most suitable options for harbouring and enhancing the marine population. Material of the artificial reef will be eco-friendly and have sufficient tensile strength.

Rs 88 L
Cost of the pilot project