Inquiry Launched into Flamingo Deaths in Navi Mumbai
Navi Mumbai, 29th April 2024: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has initiated an inquiry into the recent surge of flamingo deaths in Navi Mumbai, appointing senior IAS officer Tukaram Mundhe, former chief of Navi Mumbai municipality, to lead the investigation. In response to an appeal from the NGO NatConnect Foundation regarding the alarming death toll of 10 flamingos within a week, Shinde directed Mundhe to thoroughly investigate the matter and take appropriate measures.
Currently serving as the Secretary of the State Animal Husbandry Department, Mundhe will oversee the inquiry into the concerning spike in flamingo fatalities. Over the past week, ten flamingos were discovered dead, while five others sustained injuries, raising serious concerns among conservationists and environmentalists. The affected lake, recognized as a vital satellite wetland for these iconic pink birds, has attracted attention for its recent ecological crisis.
A joint team comprising officials from the Forest Department, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) visited the sites near DPS Lake, Nerul, where the deceased birds were discovered. The findings of this investigative team are eagerly awaited, as stakeholders seek clarity on the underlying causes behind the tragic phenomenon.
Expressing gratitude for the swift action taken by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), NatConnect director B N Kumar praised Mundhe’s reputation as a principled and diligent civil servant, highlighting his suitability for overseeing such a critical inquiry.
Flamingos frequent this wetland sanctuary during periods of heightened water levels, attracted by the abundant resources available during high tide at Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary. However, concerns have been raised by environmentalists regarding the obstruction of tidal water inlets to the flamingo lake. Activist D Stalin raised alarm over the blockage of the main inlet from the creek, attributing it to road construction activities associated with the unused Nerul jetty.
