Navi Mumbai: Maharashtra Government Orders Conservation Measures for DPS Flamingo Lake Amid Flamingo Deaths
Navi Mumbai, 11th July 2024: The Maharashtra Government has issued an order aimed at conserving the 30-acre DPS Flamingo Lake located in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, following recent incidents of flamingo deaths in the area.
The order, issued by the Revenue and Forest Department on July 5, emphasizes the conservation of wetlands and mangroves within the lake, ahead of the upcoming migratory bird season. The DPS wetland serves as a critical satellite wetland where flamingos often land during high tide, connected to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, a Ramsar site in India.
Recently, the lake witnessed the tragic deaths of 39 flamingos in various locations in Ghatkopar East, nearly two months after a flock was impacted by an Emirates aeroplane landing at Mumbai’s Santacruz airport.
To address these challenges, a high-level committee led by the Principal Secretary of the Forest Department has been constituted. This committee, comprising principal secretaries from the Environment and Urban Development departments, along with officials from CIDCO, Navi Mumbai municipal corporation, Maharashtra Maritime Board, Thane district collector, and BNHS chairman Praveen Pardesi, will explore conservation strategies for the lake.
The NatConnect Foundation, in partnership with organizations like the Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society, Save Flamingos and Mangroves Forum, and Kharghar Hill and Wetlands group, has actively advocated for the lake’s protection. They have highlighted concerns over CIDCO’s management affecting tidal water flow, which they argue has contributed to the deaths of flamingos.
Environmentalists have welcomed the government’s intervention, acknowledging it as a critical step forward in safeguarding the lake’s ecosystem. Rekha Sankhala from the Save Flamingos & Mangroves Forum expressed gratitude for public support and emphasized the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts.
MLA Ganesh Naik and environmental groups have been vocal in urging the restoration of DPS Flamingo Lake, prompting actions to clear blockages and restore natural water flows. However, tensions have arisen, with CIDCO challenging unauthorized activities by the Navi Mumbai municipal commissioner, leading to legal disputes.
The National Green Tribunal has also taken proactive measures to investigate flamingo deaths at the wetland, underscoring ongoing concerns about bird safety in the area due to factors like light pollution affecting their visual abilities.
Overall, these efforts underscore the ongoing struggle to protect and preserve the habitat crucial for flamingos and other migratory birds amidst urban development pressures in Navi Mumbai.
