'Don’t disturb flamingoes at Navi Mumbai wetlands': Officials warn of action

Activist Sunil Agarwal had posted a picture of people scaring the birds away, on social media. The post had gone viral and saw strong reactions from nature lovers. File pic

Taking serious note of the disturbance being caused to flamingoes visiting the wetlands near NRI complex in Navi Mumbai, forest department officials visited the spot and warned locals of action if the birds are disturbed. Government sources told mid-day that Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray, too, instructed CIDCO and the Mangroves Cell to make sure that no disturbance is caused to the birds.

On May 20, in the report, ‘Attempts being made to drive away flamingos: Navi Mumbai Green activist', mid-day had highlighted allegations made by green activists from Navi Mumbai, about people trying to scare the birds away from the wetlands near NRI complex. Navi Mumbai-based environmentalist Sunil Agarwal had also written to the Mangroves Cell, police commissioner and other concerned departments about it, along with pictures of how the birds were scared away.

A social media post by Agarwal had also gone viral and many nature lovers had expressed anger.

Also Read: Attempts being made to drive away flamingos: Navi Mumbai Green activist

A government official who did not wish to be named said, "Thackeray had taken a serious note of the incident where flamingoes were scared away by some people at the NRI wetlands. He instructed the concerned department to take necessary action against those scaring the birds away."

Teams of officials warned villagers and visitors of strict action if they disturb the flamingos again.

Agarwal said, "We are thankful for the prompt action by authorities and hope that such incidents will not be repeated.

Flamingoes have already started visiting Talawe Wetlands and in the coming days, their numbers will reach the previous year's levels."

"We request authorities to take action to restore the intertidal nature of this wetland by removing illegal structures blocking the water," Agarwal added.