Navi Mumbai: Environmentalists Accuse NMIA of Neglecting Flamingo Habitat at DPS Lake Wetland

Mumbai, 28th January 2025: Environmental groups have raised concerns about the alleged degradation of DPS Lake, a 30-acre wetland and a vital flamingo habitat, accusing vested interests of obstructing water flow despite assurances by the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) to preserve it.

In its half-yearly environmental compliance report to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), NMIA had pledged to implement Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) recommendations to protect biodiversity near the airport. However, activists claim these commitments are being ignored.

According to B.N. Kumar, director of NatConnect Foundation, water flow from Thane Creek to the DPS wetland has been blocked for months, causing water stagnation and making it unsuitable for flamingos. Kumar has written to the MOEFCC and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging immediate intervention ahead of World Wetlands Day on February 2.

A state-level committee had earlier recommended declaring DPS Lake a conservation reserve, a move requiring approval from the state wildlife board led by Fadnavis. CIDCO, the authority managing the area, was instructed to maintain water channels in the wetland, but environmentalists allege inaction despite repeated appeals.

Kumar also noted that Fadnavis had directed the state forest department to investigate violations at the site following concerns raised in December. Yet, the alleged neglect persists.

Activists underscore the ecological value of wetlands as crucial habitats for migratory birds, natural carbon sinks, and flood management systems that support biodiversity. Despite NMIA’s acknowledgement of the importance of wetland conservation, its compliance report highlighted potential aviation risks due to the proximity of birds. However, BNHS studies suggest that flamingos typically fly below aircraft altitudes, posing minimal risk.

Currently, DPS Lake remains in poor condition, reportedly clogged with moss, filth, and stagnant water. Sandeep Sareen of the Navi Mumbai Environment Protection Society (NMEPS) stressed the urgency of protecting wetlands, emphasizing the theme of this year’s World Wetlands Day, “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,” as a call to action for preserving biodiversity and securing a sustainable future.