Environmentalists Raise Alarm Over Drone Threat to Flamingos at Navi Mumbai Wetlands
Navi Mumbai, 1st May 2024: Concerns have been raised by environmentalists and local bird enthusiasts regarding the potential threat posed by drones to the safety of flamingos at Navi Mumbai wetlands, particularly as crowds gather towards the end of the flamingo season. The NatConnect Foundation, an NGO devoted to environmental preservation, has formally conveyed this apprehension to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the police.
Visitors to the wetlands, including bird enthusiasts, have been observed flying drones dangerously close to the birds in an attempt to observe the pink flamingos up close. According to a complaint filed with the Chief Minister, some drones are flown just one or two feet above the flamingos. In light of a recent bird strike incident in Ghatkopar, activists are urging visitors to exercise heightened caution.
B N Kumar, director of the NatConnect Foundation, cautioned, “The sharp, whirring propeller blades of these drones can severely injure or even kill the delicate birds, which are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.” He also expressed concerns about visitors using drones to track the flight paths of these birds, posing an even greater risk if proper precautions are not taken.
Rekha Sankhala of the Save Flamingos and Mangroves Forum recounted witnessing distressing scenes at the TS Chanakya flamingo zone. She emphasized the danger of potential violence if attempts are made to intervene. Sankhala stressed the importance of raising awareness among young drone operators regarding the risks posed to the birds and called for police enforcement to protect them.
Drones disturb the birds, particularly when they land at the TS Chanakya, NRI, and DPS flamingo zones in Navi Mumbai, especially during periods of rising tidal water levels at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS). These large water bodies in Navi Mumbai are vital roosting spots for migratory pink birds visiting the TCFS.
Environmentalists in Navi Mumbai have consistently criticized the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) for treating the wetlands as developable land parcels, overlooking crucial environmental and ecological balance issues. They are demanding immediate action to safeguard the flamingos and their habitats from these emerging threats.
Jyoti Nadkarni, a resident and birder in Navi Mumbai, expressed concern about the growing prevalence of unsafe drone practices among youngsters at major flamingo zones, advocating for legal regulation. Environmentalists have also reported incidents of stone-throwing aimed at disturbing the birds, which could ultimately lead to the abandonment of these habitats, enabling vested interests to claim the areas for development.
NatConnect’s complaint has been escalated to the Director General of Police, Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner, and the Mangrove Cell, urging official intervention to prevent drones from entering flamingo zones. Environmentalists await a response to address these pressing concerns.
