Fadnavis-Led Board Grants Protected Status to Crucial Flamingo Habitat in Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai, 19th April 2025: The Maharashtra State Wildlife Board has granted official conservation reserve status to DPS Flamingo Lake, marking a significant milestone as the first wetland associated with the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) to receive such designation. The decision, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis during a recent board meeting, aims to safeguard the ecological integrity of Navi Mumbai’s wetland ecosystem.
Spanning 30 acres, the lake serves as a vital habitat for flamingos that migrate from TCFS during high tide, providing them with essential feeding and resting grounds. Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, who also serves as the vice-chairman of the board, strongly advocated for the lake’s preservation, emphasising its ecological importance. “This habitat is a critical biodiversity zone that must be protected in the public and environmental interest,” he said.
The declaration follows persistent efforts from local environmental advocates in Navi Mumbai. B N Kumar, director of NatConnect Foundation, hailed the move as a landmark achievement. “This outcome reflects years of advocacy. We urge the government to issue a formal resolution promptly and take steps to protect flight paths and other wetlands in the region,” Kumar said.
The move also follows an ecological crisis last year when 17 flamingos perished after water flow to the lake was obstructed during the construction of a nearby Passenger Water Transport terminal in Nerul. In response, Naik instructed officials to reopen two tidal inlets and urged the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation to reroute pipelines to restore the natural water cycle.
According to the forest department, nearly 60 per cent of the lake’s algae-infested surface has now been cleared, significantly improving conditions and encouraging the flamingo’s reappearance.
Environmental groups, including the Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society (NMEPS), welcomed the announcement. “This is a shared triumph for every individual who raised their voice for this wetland,” said activist Sandeep Sareen, highlighting the impact of public demonstrations and awareness campaigns over the past year.
Conservationists and institutions like the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) have consistently warned that degradation of satellite wetlands could push flamingos toward areas near the under-construction Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), raising concerns about potential bird strikes. The airport’s environmental impact report also recognises this risk and has committed to following BNHS recommendations.
