Defunct jetty causing flamingo deaths
On Thursday, 12 flamingos were injured after wading into marshier side of the wetland; five succumbed on the same day and two more died the next day while undergoing treatment
The defunct Nerul jetty constructed by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) adjacent to the wetlands frequented by flamingos is emerging to be one of the reasons for unexplained deaths and injuries to the birds, claim the environmentalists.
Of the three inlets that supply tidal water to the lake from the creek, activists have identified that the inlet towards the jetty side is buried completely under the construction debris. The inlet facing the jetty is one of the bigger feeders of inter tidal water into the wetland.
“In a week 10 flamingos died in mysterious circumstances. Two died after getting hurt while attempting to cross the Palm Beach road. The lake frequented by the birds doesn’t have adequate water as the inlets through which water flows in from the creekside are not functioning,” said resident activist Rekha Sankhala.
On Thursday, 12 flamingos were injured after wading into the marshier side of the wetland. Of the 12, five succumbed
In a week 10 flamingos died in mysterious circumstances. Two died after getting hurt while attempting to cross the Palm Beach Road. The lake frequented by the birds doesn’t have adequate water as the inlets through which water flows in from the creekside are not functioning. Resident activist Rekha Sankhala
on the same day and two more died on Friday during treatment. The unexplained deaths created furore amongst activists against the harmful practices by the CIDCO to disturb the surroundings frequented by flamingos.
On Friday, a joint inspection was conducted by a team of officials from Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), Mangrove Cell, Forest
We should approach NMMC and submit an application to the forest department to designate this area as a community reserve. We must involve community members, forest department, NMMC, and BNHS as stakeholders. Activist, Jyoti Nadkarni
department along with activists and social organisations like Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Wild Welfare Association (WWA) and Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW).
Concerned about the lake getting dry and causing harm to the flamingos, a letter was addressed to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner, describing the poor
A similar inspection was conducted last year as well but there has been no resolution. Citizens should consider undertaking the repair work of the inlet at its expense because CIDCO is only interested in usurping the land for construction purposes. No government body will be able to oppose CIDCO as no amount of inspection is going to pave desired results unless citizens revolt. Director Vanashakti
Stalin Dayanand
condition of the water inlets that provide water to the lake. The lake has three water inlets, of these, only one is found to be operating partially.
“The two major inlets are buried under mud and debris due to the construction work of the non-functional jetty by CIDCO. The solitary inlet presently providing water is also not working to its full capacity as the pipeline is filled with waste particles. The NMMC is appealed to undertake cleaning of the blockages,” Sankhala said.
Meanwhile, activists have requested residents to own up to the task of clearing the blockages to the water inlets as the CIDCO is stated to have vested interests. “A similar inspection was conducted last year as well but there has been no resolution. Citizens should consider undertaking the repair work of the inlet at their own expense because CIDCO is only interested in usurping the land for construction purposes. No government body will be able to oppose CIDCO as no amount of inspection is going to pave desired results unless citizens revolt,” said director of NGO Vanashakti Stalin D.
Deepak Khade, Divisional Forest Officer of Mangrove Cell-Mumbai, led the forest department’s team checking all the inlets. Khade will submit his report to the Mangrove Cell head V S Ramarao, who is also the additional principal chief conservator of forests. Repeated attempts to get in touch with CIDCO officials went unanswered.