Dharavi

Dharavi ( Marathi: धारावी, Dharavi ) is a slum in the Indian city of Mumbai. He is considered the largest slum in Asia, although there are as defined in National Geographic larger slums.

Dharavi is located on an area of ​​slightly more than 2 square kilometers along the river Mahim, framed between the Western and the Central Railway, two important railway lines in the city. In addition to apartments, there are also economic life in Dharavi and shops such as potteries and tanneries. Administratively, Dharavi is divided into Ward 3 East in zone 3.

Information to the population of the area vary greatly. The Indian activist Sheela Patel estimated the number of residents in October 2007 350000-600000, elsewhere in the same year at 450000-600000. The Economist estimated the population in May 2007 to " about 600,000 ," Time Asia in June 2006 to 600,000 to 1 million.

History

Dharavi was not always a slum and is as old as the rest of Mumbai. As this was originally inhabited by fishermen. Mumbai was formerly made up of several islands. With the draining of water surfaces in order to make the islands a contiguous land area, the fishermen lost their livelihoods. The reclaimed land could accommodate migrants who initially from the surrounding Maharashtra, later - flocked from all over India in the relatively wealthy Mumbai, there often but not vorfanden the hoped better living conditions and ended up in the slums - and to this day.

Current situation

Dharavi, which originally stood on the outskirts of Mumbai, was overgrown by the city, making it today - unusual for a slum - is located in the city.

There are plans to demolish the slum huts of Dharavi and replace ( in part) by Social Housing. Critics fear that these plans to serve primarily the slum dwellers to "get rid " and to make the attractive central bottom surface of the slums for commercial purposes available.

On May 30, 2007, a message went through the press that Dharavi is available for purchase. On this subject was published in 2009 the Swiss- German documentary " Dharavi, Slum for Sale " by director Lutz Konermann.

Since 2006, various tour operators offer guided tours through Dharavi. By winning a school, a kindergarten and a community center to be operated. The tours with tour guides that come from poor neighborhoods themselves, lead by the business and industrial districts and residential areas Dharavi.