There is good news for Mumbaikars as soon they can be part of an eco tour which is a boat ride along  Mumbai Metropolitan Region’s (MMR) flamingo sanctuary between Airoli and Vashi across Thane creek.

The tour will start after monsoon in October. The Mangrove Cell of Forest Department will flag off the service from Diva jetty, Airoli, with a single trip a day during the high tide and will charge Rs 250 per head. Visitors can avail the services of a guide who will impart information about marine life and different species of migratory birds that flock to this dense mangrove stretch as well as the flora and fauna of the region.

A 24-seater boat to ferry nature lovers for a hour-long ride has been procured by the Mangrove Cell.

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests N Vasudevan said that all formalities regarding the registration of the boat to sail through Thane creek have been completed. The Creek safari is a first-of-its-kind in Mumbai metropolitan region. Adequate safety measures have been taken to provide the nature lovers a pleasant ride.

Booking for the tour can be done online. Forest Minister Sudhir Mungattiwar stated that the there are dense mangroves and a variety of migratory birds in the Thane creek, but its biodiversity has not been explored so far.

The project is intended to offer people a wonderful gift by taking them closer to nature and allowing them to experience its biodiversity.