Before Mumbai became a city of skyscrapers, it was a cluster of seven islands, the home of the Kolis, the city’s first inhabitants. Over time, land reclamation, pollution, and rapid urbanisation eroded their livelihoods and cultural identity. Through the Worli Koliwada Transformation Project, The Heritage Project (THP) and NatureRe are working to restore this balance by combining heritage revival with climate-responsive action.
THP strengthens cultural memory through heritage walks, murals, and entrepreneurship initiatives that empower local residents. At sea, NatureRe has deployed 227 artificial reef modules off the Worli coast, creating habitats for marine life and revitalising livelihoods. Together, they offer a model for cities that seek to grow sustainably while honouring the communities and ecologies that first shaped them.
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