12 May,2024 06:48 AM IST | Mumbai | A Correspondent
The human chain that urged we save the wetlands
Activists observed World Migratory Bird Day in Navi Mumbai on Saturday with a silent human chain to say: Do not fiddle with the wetlands. The satellite city has gained the moniker of Flamingo City by virtue of being a pit-stop for the migrating flamboyant birds from winter to monsoons.
The 30-acre Flamingo Lake near Delhi Public School in Seawoods has been under threat with vested interests blocking tidal water flow, and rendering it dry in violation of the Bombay High Court judgement. The main channel on the south side of the lake is blocked by debris resulting from construction of Nerul jetty.
Over 10 flamingos died and five were injured as they got disoriented while landing at the lake. "We have been raising our voices for over a month at various levels," Kumar said. The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) as well as the Chief Minister responded to NatConnect's complaint, but there is no action yet.
Sandip Sareen from Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society (NMEPS) said the violation is contempt of court. "We are hopeful that the water flow will be restored as officials have visited the area to assess the crisis," said Anjali Agrawal of Save Flamingos and Mangroves Forum. "But we are thoroughly disappointed to not be able to see flamingos here on World Migratory Bird day." Belapur-based activist Hemant Katkar said, "Officials drawing hefty salaries from tax-payers' money must be made accountable for environmental destruction," he said.
