Mumbai's Seascapes to Glow: Floating Billboards Spark Light Pollution Fears

Seven years after New York City prohibited floating digital billboards, Mumbai is preparing to introduce them along its coastline. The Maharashtra Maritime Board has identified 20 potential locations, including Juhu Beach and Bandra Sea Link Jetty, for these shore-based and floating advertisements. This initiative risks exacerbating light pollution in the Arabian Sea, a phenomenon increasingly recognized as a global environmental and public health issue.

Artificial light at night negatively affects human well-being, contributing to sleep disorders and potentially increasing risks of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. In marine environments, light penetration can disrupt the daily vertical migrations of zooplankton, essential for marine food webs. Research highlights that this light pollution can disorient marine creatures, impacting feeding habits and predator-prey dynamics.

India, as a signatory to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species, has a commitment to protect wildlife. Guidelines developed in 2020 recommend a 20km light-free buffer around wildlife habitats and environmental impact assessments for illuminated sites. Mumbai already experiences significant nearshore light pollution, exceeding thresholds for pristine marine habitats. Introducing commercial billboards directly into these sensitive intertidal zones would further degrade natural marine dark corridors.

Experts suggest mitigating coastal light pollution through measures like switching to warmer light spectrums, dimming lights after active hours, and implementing timers. However, they emphasize that prevention is key, warning that billboards, as revenue generators, could lead to numerous installations. This approach mirrors the unmanageable issues already faced with air and water pollution.