Amazon’s investment is more than a clean-up. It is a strategic push towards climate resilience, wetland restoration, and community empowerment, setting a precedent for corporate-driven conservation in urban biodiversity hotspots.
Amazon Mumbai Flamingo Conservation is receiving a $1.2 million investment as part of the company’s global sustainability initiative. This funding will restore Mumbai’s flamingo habitat, tackle plastic pollution in Thane Creek, and drive mangrove reforestation efforts in Gujarat. Amazon, through its $100 million Right Now Climate Fund, is partnering with Hasten Regeneration to remove 150 tons of plastic waste, plant 375,000 mangrove trees, and create sustainable jobs for local communities. This Amazon Mumbai Flamingo Conservation project marks a significant step in corporate-led biodiversity protection in India.
The project, in collaboration with Hasten Regeneration, will focus on plastic waste removal, mangrove reforestation, and habitat restoration to ensure Mumbai’s flamingos and other wetland species continue to thrive. With growing concerns over the degradation of India’s wetlands, this initiative signals an important shift in corporate-led conservation efforts aimed at preserving critical ecosystems in urban environments.
Why Mumbai’s Flamingos Need Urgent Protection
Mumbai’s Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, a Ramsar-designated wetland, is home to thousands of lesser and greater flamingos that migrate from Gujarat and other regions. These birds rely on the mudflats, mangroves, and nutrient-rich waters of the creek for survival. However, the influx of untreated sewage, industrial discharge, and plastic pollution has turned this vital habitat into a toxic zone, threatening both biodiversity and the surrounding communities.
The problem is not isolated to Mumbai. Coastal wetlands across India are disappearing at an alarming rate, with nearly 40 percent lost in the last three decades due to land reclamation, illegal dumping, and unchecked urban expansion. The loss of mangroves not only threatens flamingos but also weakens natural defenses against rising sea levels, storm surges, and climate change impacts.
Amazon’s Three-Pronged Strategy to Restore Mumbai’s Wetlands
Amazon’s $1.2 million initiative is not just a clean-up mission. It is a strategic blueprint designed to tackle plastic pollution, restore mangrove forests, and uplift local communities through sustainable solutions.
The first phase of the project will involve the installation of a trash boom to intercept plastic waste before it reaches Thane Creek’s sensitive ecosystem. This method has been successfully used in river clean-ups worldwide, preventing thousands of tons of waste from entering marine habitats. The goal is to remove at least 150 tons of plastic debris, making a direct impact on the water quality and overall health of the wetland.
The second phase focuses on mangrove afforestation and ecosystem restoration. Mangroves play a critical role in carbon sequestration, storing up to ten times more carbon per hectare than tropical rainforests, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The initiative will involve planting 375,000 mangrove shrubs and trees, primarily in Gujarat, where these birds breed. This effort will not only support flamingo populations but also enhance coastal resilience against erosion and extreme weather events.
The third component of the project is community involvement and livelihood generation. The restoration work will provide employment opportunities for local residents, particularly women-led planting groups, ensuring that the initiative has long-term economic benefits. By engaging the fishing communities and slum settlements along Thane Creek, the project aims to improve living conditions, reduce health hazards linked to pollution, and promote sustainable conservation practices.
Government and Conservation Experts Applaud the Initiative
The initiative has gained strong support from environmental leaders and government officials, aligning with India’s broader Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) program. Shri Mukeshbhai Zinabhai Patel, Minister of Forest and Environment, Climate Change, Water Resources and Water Supply, State of Gujarat, highlighted the multi-faceted benefits of the project. He emphasized that large-scale mangrove restoration efforts would protect against storm surges, rising sea levels, and erosion, while also creating sustainable employment for local communities.
Abhinav Singh, Vice President of Operations at Amazon India, underscored the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability. He stated that preserving Mumbai’s flamingo habitat is crucial not only for biodiversity but also for the communities that rely on these ecosystems for their livelihoods.
Sheeba Sen, Co-founder of Hasten Regeneration India and Director of Alaap, called this project a game-changer for Mumbai’s conservation landscape. She noted that plastic waste and wetland degradation are among the biggest threats to India’s coastal biodiversity, and this collaboration will help pave the way for sustainable wetland management models.
Beyond Mumbai: Amazon’s Expanding Climate Commitments in India
This initiative is part of a larger effort by Amazon to address environmental challenges across India and the Asia-Pacific region. In 2023, the company announced a $15 million investment through its Right Now Climate Fund, supporting nature-based solutions to climate change. Other projects under this fund include:
- A partnership with the Centre for Wildlife Studies to plant 300,000 trees in the Western Ghats, restoring habitat near tiger and elephant corridors.
- A collaboration with ICLEI South Asia to launch 75 school gardens, promoting urban biodiversity and combating child malnutrition by generating 15 million school meals.
