How to Transition from ‘Beach- Lover’ to ‘Citizen-Scientist’: A Walk with Pradip Patade
- Samudra Conservation
- Dec 14, 2025
- 5 min read
By Sarah Drego & Prajakta Kuwalekar, Samudra Conservation
At peak hours, Mumbai’s Girgaon Chowpatty is a commuter’s worst nightmare.
The constant din of traffic mixed with the smell of frying bhajiyas and sweat trickling down your neck - just another day in Aamchi Mumbai - ‘The City of Dreams.’
But if you stand long enough at this same seashore at the same spot, the strangest thing happens - the noise of the city fades, the waves begin to grow louder than the traffic and a new world unfolds as the shoreline comes to life!
You begin to feel at peace within the chaos of the city.
Amidst this hustle, one man walks these shores - not chasing sunsets, not on an evening stroll or on a mission to beat the work traffic - but searching, observing, documenting.
This man is Pradip Patade, and he is intertidaling - looking for marine life hidden between the tides of Mumbai’s coastline.
His journey into citizen science began with something deceptively simple - He paid attention.
MUMBAI’S INTERTIDAL GURU
Meet Pradip Patade - co-founder of Marine Life of Mumbai (MLOM) and Coastal Conservation Foundation (CCF)
For over 15 years, Pradip has explored Mumbai’s shores, documenting the vibrant (and often surprising) marine biodiversity that thrives despite the city’s pollution and development pressure.
Through patient exploration and thousands of observations, Pradip has uncovered a hidden world - nudibranchs, brittle stars, soft corals, sea slugs, sponges, anemones - species many assumed couldn’t possibly survive here.
He proved the city wrong - documenting that marine life can in fact thrive amongst this chaos.
Marine Life of Mumbai (MLOM) is an outreach and citizen science project and the flagship project of the Coastal Conservation Foundation. The project’s aim is to document and raise awareness about the coastal biodiversity of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
The organisation has built the largest baseline dataset of intertidal marine biodiversity from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region comprising 14000+ observations of 600+ species - highlighting the unique ecosystem which manages to flourish in these polluted waters.
Pradip and his team have mobilized thousands of everyday Mumbaikars to care about the ocean.
Their work has helped rediscover multiple species long thought absent, like the stunning Goniobranchus bombayanus sea slug, first described in 1946 from Bombay and named after the city, which was lost for decades until rediscovered by MLOM at Haji Ali.
In 2016, Pradip Patade himself was a petitioner in the Environmental Interest Litigation opposing the proposed mid-sea Shivaji Memorial, arguing that the construction site is home to over 200 marine species - including soft corals, sponges, macroalgae, intertidal creatures and fish - life that would be easily erased without a fight.
He has shown that citizen science isn’t just about observations - it's about being an advocate for ecosystems without a voice.
It all begins but with a single step on the shore….
“During my initial days as a water sports instructor at Girgaon, I would spend hours in conversation with the local fishermen. It was through these interactions that I first observed seahorses, which would be trapped in their nets. But, I haven’t seen seahorses again recently.” ~Pradip Patade.
THE JOURNEY TO DISCOVERY
You don’t need a labcoat to be a part of science.
And Pradip Patade certainly did not need one.
Our now well renowned Intertidal Guru of Mumbai - once started out as a newbie from a marketing background. Quitting his corporate 9-5, he transitioned to a job as a water sports and kayaking instructor and lifeguard.
It was here that he spent hours on the shores of Girgaon, rekindling his love for the sea.
During this time, Pradip was struck by the fascinating marine life that lay hidden so close to the city.
“I have seen so many documentaries, books and posts about the Great Barrier Reef. But I soon realized - GBR mein jo hai, humare Mumbai mein bhi hai” ~Pradip Patade.
Marine life isn’t rare. But it is most frequently overlooked.
All he had was his curious mind, and his camera.
Everyday, Pradip Patade would walk Mumbai’s shore - capturing the marine life and posting his observations on Facebook, a practice he still religiously follows.
He could always be found on the shore, in search of marine life! And over the years, his seemingly minor observations led to crucial outcomes.
In 2013, whilst serving as part of the lifeguard team - he noticed over 100 devotees being stung by sting rays during Ganapati Visharjans. This was the first time he noticed a gap in information regarding Mumbai’s marine biodiversity.
Eventually, his community grew.
By 2017, Marine Life of Mumbai was born - founded by Pradip, Abhishek Jamalabad, and Siddharth Chakravarty. You could soon find 20-30 people dedicatedly exploring Mumbai’s intertidal together - from various backgrounds, but all with a curious spark for the ocean.
From a trio on the rocks, MLOM today is a community of over 200 passionate citizen scientists. With Shaunak Modi, Gaurav Patil, Raniya Ansari and a team of enthusiastic intertidallers, you can spot them on various shores of Mumbai - Haji Ali, Napean Sea Road, Juhu Beach - at low tides.
Curiosity, consistency, and a deep love for the ocean.
WHERE & HOW DO I SIGN UP?
If Pradip Patade can do it, so can you!
Prior knowledge & experience required: NONE
Equipment required: NONE
Your only prerequisite: Enthusiasm to learn more about the ocean!
Step 1: Start walking the shore
Pick a beach and visit during low tide.
Walk slowly. Keep your eyes wide open. Notice colours, movements, textures in the tidepools and sand.
Science starts with presence.
Step 2: Take photos (tons of them!)
No fancy gear needed, your smartphone is enough.
Take pictures of whatever you see. Don’t know what it is? Even better - document it!
Step 3: Upload your sightings
Use community platforms like iNaturalist where your observations become valuable ecological data.
Step 4: Respect the shore!
Always follow intertidal ethics:
Don’t disturb the organisms.
Don’t pocket shells. Yes, they will look pretty on your dressing table but they are homes to numerous crabs.
Flip rocks only if you can return them exactly.
Watch your step! You might crush a sponge or coral, or worse - step on something venomous. Wear appropriate footwear!
Leave the shore better than you found it - do not litter and pick up any plastic you find.
Step 5: Join a community
Find like-minded communities in your area! This helps you stay motivated, learn from experts and contribute to something bigger!
Marine Life of Mumbai has inspired similar initiatives - Marine Life of Andamans, Marine Life of Goa, Marine Life of Andhra.
Can’t find a community in your area? Simple Solution: Start it yourself!
Step 6: Keep returning
Knowledge builds - one tide at a time.
The more you see, the more you understand, the more you can contribute.
THE SHORE IS CALLING
Mumbai’s intertidal zone is often disregarded as polluted, lifeless and beyond saving. But citizen scientists like Pradip Patade have proven otherwise.
He reminds us that Aamchi Mumbai’s coastline is very much alive - a symbol of resilience in this sea of havoc.
All you need to do is head to the shores to witness it.
The beauty of citizen science is that it is not reserved for experts, but for everyone.
It is powered by ordinary people, who care - who take the first step onto the shore - observing, recording, sharing and contributing to conservation.
And, it can begin with you!
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Contact us: samudraconservation@gmail.com
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