The area of present-day Dharavi was predominantly mudflats and mangrove forest. Towards the end of the 19th century it was still inhabited largely by Koli fisher folk. However, continuous reclamation and dumping of solid waste in this area severed the contiguity of the Mahim and Mahul estuaries that adjoined Dharavi. Until this loss of contiguity, Bombay was an island in the truest sense.
It also caused the fishing to dwindle and consequently displacing them. Their place was quickly taken up by the migrant potter and leather tanning communities from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, respectively. Today Dharavi is home to a number of small-scale businesses such as garment manufacturing, waste processing, pottery, furniture design, finished leather goods and foodstuffs.
Dharavi is located along the Mithi river and is a critical part of the ecosystem, the watershed and the mangroves. Severe flooding and water pollution of this river is one of the most serious problems for Mumbai today, especially for Dharavi which is built on low-lying marshlands. Untreated sewage, garbage and the effluents from the many polluting industries of Dharavi (recycling, pottery and tannery) flow directly into the river. The tipping point for all this pollution and encroachment to be taken seriously was on 26th July 2005, when a 24 hour rainfall of nearly 1000 mm poured in Mumbai. The city came to a standstill: trains could not run, major roads closed and major landslides happened. Airports closed, phone, internet and electricity blackouts accompanied sewage overflows. Over 600 people died, 2000 homes were destroyed and 50,000 were damaged.
The main reason for this problem is that Mithi river has lost 54% of its original water basin due to slum encroachments, new brides and the government approved construction of Bandra Kurla complex and the Chatrapathi Shivaji International Airport in the north of Dharavi. Most of the river’s mangrove forests have been destroyed and the river has lost its capacity to absorb the monsoon rainfall.
- Disappearing Mithi River (Source: The Columbia Urban Design Studio, 2009)
One of the many solutions for this problem could entail curtailing the encroachments and providing green infrastructure at the regional scale and in the neighborhood scale within Dharavi. Simultaneously, the government could promote sanitary environments within Dharavi by providing network of green streets and public spaces for recreation and much needed open spaces. Taking the floodplains as a starting point for arranging new areas for ecological habitats to be recovered and designating new land uses, constructing green infrastructure along with sewer pipes would serve to improve stormwater runoff, mitigate the water quality and flooding impacts of urban stormwater and would encourage stewardship amongst Dharavi residents to take care of their river.
This documentary film by Observer Research Forum (ORF) shows the shocking mismanagement of Mithi river by the authorities and the river’s abuse by the residents over the years. It shows the river’s origins and how informal settlements are forced to use the river to address basic civic needs such as sewage, solid waste disposal and stormwater management.
Side Image: Pronoti Datta
[In]formal $ettlements 