Mumbai’s Dharavi: What’s life like in Asia's largest slum?

Dharavi is easily one of the most recognised residential areas in the world. It is also one of the world’s largest slums. The geographical area is just over 2.39 sq. km in size but supports a population of about 300,000 to a million people. This means, Dharavi is also one of the most densely populated residential areas in the world.

It is a big part of Mumbai; not in terms of area, but big when it comes to being one of the city’s most iconic features.



Dharavi’s history goes back to 1884, the time when the city saw huge migration of people from the rural areas to the urban Mumbai. This was the city’s pocket where the maximum number of economically challenged population found residence. As the number of industries grew, so did the size of the slum area.


It may be portrayed as a place of informal economy and cramped quarters, but within this bustling labyrinthine settlement lies the rich history of the diverse communities that call this place home. In Dharavi, despite its cramped quarters and challenging living conditions, the residents have managed to build a thriving micro-economy – the recycling industry.


Did you know that around 60% of Mumbai’s plastic waste is recycled at Dharavi? It is one of the biggest and most efficient ones in the world.


Another thriving micro-economy is Dharavi’s leather industry. Since the 50s, the skilled craftsmen have been engaged from curing to producing high-quality leather goods. This leather industry is such an important part of Dharavi that there are tours that will even take you deep inside the factories where you will be able to see how leather goods are processed, from start to finish.


Recycling, leather, textiles, you name it, Dharavi has got it.




But what is the driving force behind all these?


Communal diversity. Yes, Dharavi’s incredibly mixed community makes it all possible. This pocket of Mumbai is a melting pot of cultures, languages, and religions. People from various parts of India call this place home and they do everything to make it work here.


Can we call this a story of resilience? Yes, most definitely.

Also read: How seven islands became the present-day city of Mumbai?

Despite the very obvious economical challenges, the residents of Dharavi have worked on building close-knit communities. You should visit the place during Indian festivals and see the explosion of colour and culture.

Also read: Mumbai's Fort Area is for those in love with art and heritage


If you want to know what slum tourism is all about, just do a light research on Dharavi. You will come to know that over 15,000 tourists visit Dharavi every year. Is it a good thing or something we can do without? Well, it really depends on how you see it. Let us know what you think.

1. What is Dharavi?
   Dharavi is a densely populated urban area located in the heart of Mumbai. It is also one of the world's largest slums.
2. What are some key industries in Dharavi?
   Dharavi is known for its various small-scale industries, including recycling, leather production, pottery, and textiles.
3. Are tourists allowed to visit Dharavi?
   Yes, tourists are allowed to visit Dharavi. In fact, slum tourism is quite big there.