The construction of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Railway (MAHSR) project will not

only lead to the loss of mangroves, but will destroy an entire eco-system, according to a report.

It is indeed a great beginning for India that the ground-breaking for the construction of the first
bullet train between Ahmedabad and Mumbai is happening on 14 September. Apart from being a
major leap in infrastructure development in India.

Eleven types of mangrove species, the habitat of 177 species of resident and migratory birds,

otters, turtles, fish, crabs, oysters, wild boar, monkeys, flying fox, fishing cats, civets, mongoose,

wild cats etc. frequently entering the mangroves for feeding and shelter — will be directly

affected.

The socio-economic impacts of the effects on mangrove ecosystems may include increased risk

of flooding, increased erosion of coastlines, saline intrusion and increased storm surges. Acting

as a bridge between land and sea, mangroves are a natural buffer and a carbon sink larger than

tropical rain forests.

The present study reveals that the construction of MAHSR will help in quick transportation of

population to and fro from both metropolitan cities. However, the construction of the corridor

will have an adverse impact on mangroves at certain places along the alignment. The destruction

will include (some of the important commercial) faunal and floral species, no doubt, the

activities will have impact on the environment and socio-economic aspects of the local

population.

Environmental implications were assessed across Thane, Palghar, Kopar Khairane, Diva,

Kewani, Bhiwandi, along Vaitarna estuary, and Bharuch (Narmada River), Gujarat in 2017, by

dividing the stretch across six gradients. The report was also the first assessment of the total loss

of mangrove trees for the project, pegged at 1, 50, 752 across 18.9 hectares (ha). However, the

nodal authority for the project, National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL)
reassessed the loss of mangroves and brought it down to 32,044 mangroves to be destroyed

across 9.8 ha.

The MSI is a research body working on mangrove conservation across the country’s coastline

since 1990. Members, including late Arvind Untawale (passed away on September 7), carried out

a field visit along the entire alignment to check biodiversity loss. They suggested a list of

mitigation measures to be implemented well before construction commences. “As the bullet train

will go underground along the Thane creek flamingo sanctuary, the area will remain protected.

However, some rare mangrove species will be lost along other areas of the alignment. Every

mangrove species has their specific zonation (area where they best survive). Well-planned

afforestation done exactly at those sites, with specific species lost, will help revive the ecosystem

within next five years.

Apart from careful replantation, post construction, reduced water quality, changes in hydrology

and drainage, and noise pollution from the speed and sound of the train may pose another threat

for intertidal habitats at the banks of the estuaries and creeks. Both sides of the of the project

corridor needs to be well protected to avoid direct contact with wildlife by constructing boundary

walls or having elevated corridors with noise barriers or other abatement measures. The

livelihood impact will be severe, especially for farmers, as several hectares of rice fields will be

lost.

The alignment in mangrove-affected area, especially Thane creek, passes through a 30m

underground tunnel to avoid disturbances to the flamingo sanctuary and nearby mangroves. The

main motive behind passing MAHSR through an undersea tunnel was not only to protect and

preserve mangroves, but not to disturb the flora and fauna of the sanctuary.

On completion of construction, ecological monitoring will be carried out to assess the

magnitude of impact on mangroves and wildlife across the alignment. Noise barriers are planned
along the viaduct to mitigate the train operation noise. The survival rate of manually planted

mangroves is not more than 30% and in these areas we do not witness any natural growth.

THE BULLET-TRAIN PROJECT

A 21-km underground corridor from Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) to Kalyan has been planned

with 7km passing under the Thane creek. A total of 5.2km of mangroves and mudflats will be

lost on either side of the creek, while 1.8km is to be built under the sea bed. There are 12

proposed stations on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed train route — BKC, Thane, Virar,

Boisar, Vapi, Bilimora, Surat, Bharuch, Baroda, Anand, Sabarmati and Ahmedabad.

WHAT’S AT STAKE: SPECIES DIVERSITY AT RISK

11 types of mangrove species: Avicennia marina var. acutissima, Avicennia marina var. marina,

Sonneratia apetala, Aegiceras corniculata, Salvadora persica, Acanthus ilicifolius, Derris

heterophylla, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Excoecaria agallocha, Rhizophora apiculate, Sesuvium

portulacastrum

Wildlife: The habitat of 177 species of resident and migratory birds, a large population of otters,

turtles, fish, crabs, oysters, animals such as wild boar, monkeys, flying fox, fishing cats, civets,

Indian monitor lizard mongoose, wild cats etc. Insects such as different types of ants, beetles,

flies, moths, butterflies, grasshoppers, dragonflies etc, Olive Ridley turtles, Loggerhead turtles,

green sea turtle, and Hawksbill sea turtles

- Tidal water flow, channels and other inlets to mangrove area will not be blocked or diverted.

Regular tidal water flow will be maintained.

- Drainage structures at cross way will be designed to ensure continuous flow, thus preventing

ponding and flooding.

- Water quality of the all the creek/estuaries will be monitored regularly to see the impact of

construction and reclamation activities.

- All drains, pipes, culverts and bridges will be kept open at all times. These will be inspected

thoroughly, repaired and maintained regularly.

- Regular inspection of trucks, machinery and equipment used for the project will be done to

ensure that they are in good working condition, thus avoiding excessive discharge of carbon

monoxide.

- A trash and debris management plan that conforms to the solid waste management policies and

regulations will be implemented.

- Noise barriers are planned along the viaduct to mitigate the train operation noise.

- Without changing the location of Thane station, design of station was modified and 12 hectares

of affected mangrove region got reduced to only 3 hectares. This way, around 21,000 mangroves

were saved, and now only 32,044 mangroves will get affected by the entire project.

- Affected mangroves from the bullet train project will be compensated at the rate of 1:5 ratio, by

depositing money with the state mangrove cell, which will do the compensatory afforestation

1,60,000 new mangroves planted against loss of 32,044.

NUMBER OF MANGROVES TO BE LOST WAS CHANGED THREE TIMES

Since June 2018, number of mangrove trees to be lost for the project changed thrice. A proposal

submitted before the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) in December

2018 by NHSRCL said 1,50,752 mangroves across 18.92 hectares will be lost for the project
On June 25, the Maharashtra transport minister told the legislative assembly that 54,000

mangroves would be lost. Later in July, NHSRCL said redesigning a station held reduce 21,000

mangroves, bringing it down further to 32,044 mangroves to be affected by the project.

LOCATIONS WHERE MANGROVES WILL BE LOST

Ulhas River (Bharodi) Thane, Ulhas River (Kewani) Thane, Ulhas River Malodi-Bhamhangaon,

Thane, Ghaskopari Palghar, Vaitarna creek Palghar, Jalsar Palghar

Most of these areas have witnessed flooding this monsoon, which environmentalists attribute to

already underway environmental destruction

■ Human resource development: It would be important to train a large number of Indian

engineers and managers for design, construction and operations at standards that would be
essential for high speed rail, including for stringent safety standards.
■ Future expansion: It would be useful to have a perspective on how the expansion of this line
would happen. Once the proof of concept of High Speed Rail is established, there would be
demands for expansion.