Mumbai to Fast-Track Bhandup Bird Park Project; ₹45 Crore Allocated for Eco-Tourism and Conservation

Mumbai, July 20, 2026: The Maharashtra government is accelerating the development of the Bhandup Bird Park Project, a major eco-tourism initiative aimed at promoting environmental conservation, biodiversity protection and sustainable tourism in Mumbai. Mumbai Suburban Guardian Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar announced that ₹45 crore has been allocated for the project through the District Planning Committee.

Minister Shelar reviewed the proposed project site at Bhandup on Sunday in the presence of MLA Mihir Kotecha, local corporators and senior officials.

The bird park will be developed within the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, a Ramsar site of international importance, spread across nearly 20.09 hectares. Only 0.35 hectares will be used for eco-friendly tourism infrastructure, ensuring minimal impact on the sensitive mangrove ecosystem.

The sanctuary is home to nearly 250 species of resident and migratory birds, making it one of Mumbai’s most important biodiversity hotspots. The project will feature a 2.16-km Mangrove Nature Trail, bird observation centres, viewing decks, watch towers, a butterfly garden, a jetty, a Nature Interpretation Centre with a lecture hall, parking facilities and other visitor amenities. The development will focus on habitat conservation, environmental awareness and sustainable tourism.

A key highlight of the project is the introduction of India’s first AI-powered bird detection and monitoring system at an eco-tourism destination. The advanced system will enable real-time bird monitoring, automated species identification, biodiversity documentation, digital tracking, analytics and interactive visitor experiences, benefiting tourists, researchers, ornithologists and nature enthusiasts.

The project has received approvals from the Maharashtra Nature Tourism Development Board, the Maharashtra Eco-Tourism Board, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for CRZ clearance, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

Minister Shelar said the Bhandup Bird Park will serve as a model for balancing ecological conservation with responsible tourism while strengthening Mumbai’s position as a leading destination for nature-based tourism and environmental education.