Mangroves are crucial to the city of Mumbai. As a city built on reclaimed land, with a vast coastline and heavy rainfall, Mumbai is prone to erosion. Mangroves trap silt and protect the integrity of our shoreline. The act as a buffer between the land and the sea. They are also home to a wide variety of birds and aquatic life. They filter waste water by absorbing impurities and help us breath clean air by absorbing pollutants in the air. Unfortunately, mangroves are consistently devalued. With rapid urbanization and encroachment, Mumbai has lost 40% of its mangrove cover.

Recognizing the pressing need for preservation and restoration of mangroves, United Way Mumbai partnered with the Mangrove Cell of the State Forest Department and the Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation and 'adopted' 20 hectares of degraded wetland in Navi Mumbai. Since 2015, Over 1 lakh mangrove saplings have been planted and are being maintained here. 135 educational sessions and nature trails have been organized. 6000+ individuals have been educated through mangrove awareness programmes. 2300+ employees and citizen volunteers have been engaged through employee engagement activities.

• Leveraging the expertise and networks of the Mangrove Cell of the State Forest Department and the Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation to restore Mumbai’s depleting mangrove cover.
• Plantation and maintenance of 1 lakh+ mangrove saplings over 20 hectares of degraded wetlands.
• Engaging corporate and citizen volunteers in plantation and wetland clean-up drives to conserve the mangrove ecosystem.
• Organizing nature trails and sensitization sessions for citizens to help them understand the value of this ecosystem.
• Conducting education sessions in schools, colleges and companies to spread awareness on mangrove conservation.