The illegitimate filling up of wetlands and burning of mangroves next to T.S. Chanakya is destroying flamingos’ natural habitat, informs city-based birder Vidyasagar Hariharan
As per the IUCN Red List, the Lesser flamingos have been tagged as ‘Near Threatened’ which highlights the importance of preserving these winter birds. Photo Courtesy: Vidyasagar Hariharan
For nearly six to seven months every year, the wetlands at T.S. Chanakya turn into a sojourn for flamingos. The exodus that takes place from Rann of Kutch in Gujarat culminates at the feeding grounds of Mangrove swamps in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Owing to the rich biodiversity naturally available at T.S. Chanakya – it has emerged as a natural habitat for these pink pilgrims.
However, these habitats are threatened by the burgeoning real estate in the surrounding regions, claim bird photographers and green activists. “The illegitimate filling up of wetlands and burning of mangroves next to T.S. Chanakya is destroying their natural habitat,” reveals Vidyasagar Hariharan, a city-based birder and banker by profession.
Hariharan has been documenting the juvenile greater flamingos, lesser flamingos and other waders in Mumbai’s wetlands since 2016. Additionally, he has been sharing evidence of destruction with the green activist group – Save Navi Mumbai Wetlands spearheaded by the wetland champion Sunil Agarwal.
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