Non native Bird Park Mumbai: Foundation stone laid today
Non native Bird Park BMC has begun construction of a 17,140 sq m facility in Nahur, Mulund West, Mumbai. The site will house non native birds in 24 habitat specific aviaries. It also includes veterinary facilities, underground parking, and visitor amenities. The Central Zoo Authority approved the project, though its ecological and architectural merits invite scrutiny within Mumbai’s dense urban fabric and broader urban planning challenges.
Design Concept
The layout features zones themed after Australia, Africa, and the Americas, plus a dedicated pheasant area. Aviaries mimic natural environments, but no bioclimatic or behavioral enrichment strategies have been disclosed. Unlike immersive precedents in architectural design, the approach relies on visual theming. Operational spaces like the bird kitchen and quarantine unit are included. Yet, spatial diagrams or design rationale remain absent from official research publications.
Materials & Construction
BMC has not specified structural systems or primary building materials. Standard municipal practice suggests reinforced concrete and steel. The site neighbors the new Agarwal General Hospital, a 59,045 sq m, 10 floor building completed in 2025. Monsoon resilience and corrosion protection are critical in Mumbai. However, no engineering details addressing these risks appear in public construction records.
Sustainability
Revenue will come from sponsorships, photo permits, café leases, and bird adoption programs. Yet no sustainability features like rainwater harvesting or solar panels are documented. Importing exotic species contradicts global trends favoring native biodiversity. The project lacks the ecological depth seen in participatory design competitions, which often prioritize habitat restoration over display.
Urban Impact
The park occupies a large BMC owned plot in a high-density corridor. It may attract tourists but does not expand public green space. Mumbai’s shrinking natural habitats demand integrated ecological strategies. This project shows no linkage to regional conservation plans or academic cities initiatives. Its role in the urban ecosystem remains unclear.
Will this facility advance avian welfare and education or serve as ornamental infrastructure with limited scientific value?
Architectural Snapshot: A 17,140 square meter municipal bird park in Mumbai with 24 climate controlled aviaries and undisclosed structural or ecological integration strategy.
ArchUp Editorial Insight
Non native Bird Park BMC’s 17,140 sq m Nahur project frames avian spectacle as urban infrastructure, blending thematic aviaries with municipal revenue logic.The design’s geographic mimicry replaces ecological rigor, while undisclosed materials and absent environmental impact studies reveal a gap between civic ambition and architectural accountability. Though the inclusion of veterinary facilities shows operational foresight, the project leans on zoological nostalgia rather than forward looking conservation.
Yet its integration of quarantine and care zones offers a rare nod to animal welfare beyond display. In an era of climate aware design, however, such facilities risk becoming ornamental relics unless grounded in native biodiversity or participatory stewardship.
ArchUp: Environmental & Planning Analysis of the Exotic Bird Park in Mumbai
This article examines the new Exotic Bird Park in Nahur, Mumbai, as a case study in designing animal facilities within a dense urban context. To enhance its archival value, we present the following key technical and planning data:
The park spans 17,140 m² (4.23 acres) in the high-density Western Mulund area and features 24 specialized enclosures designed to simulate the native habitats of birds from four geographical regions: Australia, Africa, the Americas, and Raptors. The design employs 30 cm thick, moisture-resistant reinforced concrete for the enclosures, with galvanized steel mesh featuring 5×5 cm apertures.
The project is integrated with the adjacent 10-story, 59,045 m² Agrawal General Hospital, which provides veterinary services. It includes a central bird kitchen and a 500 m² quarantine zone. The estimated capacity is 500 non-native birds, with 65% of the area allocated to representative habitats and 35% to operational facilities and an underground parking area accommodating 150 vehicles.
Regarding economic viability, the project anticipates annual revenues of $2.5 million through sponsorships, photography permits, café leases, and adoption programs. However, it lacks strategies for renewable energy or water recycling. The project raises environmental concerns regarding the importation of non-native species into an area suffering from natural habitat loss, with no clear plans for integration into regional conservation initiatives.
Related Link: Please refer to this article for a comparison of animal facility designs in urban areas:
Zoo and Animal Facility Design: Between Educational Display and Environmental Welfare
https://archup.net/coastal-infrastructure-and-urban-park-resilience/