<p>Navi Mumbai: The mangrove cell has launched ‘Operation DPS Flamingo Lake cleanup’ in Nerul, clearing over 2.5 tonnes of algal sludge from a wetland that had turned toxic — marking the first on-ground response to months of environmental concern.</p><p>Forest officials deployed boats, removing 500–600 kg of algae daily, as thick deposits choked the flamingo habitat.</p><p>Environmentalists welcomed the move but warned it addresses only the visible symptoms of a deeper ecological failure.</p><p>“This is a good beginning, but we have miles to go,” said NatConnect Foundation, pointing to structural issues choking the wetland system.</p><p>At the core is disrupted intertidal flow. While high tide brings in seawater, low tide is too weak to flush out accumulated pollutants.</p>.Centre asks Maharashtra to address concerns on flamingo habitats in Navi Mumbai.<p>“The outgoing tide is not carrying the entire muck because the drainage channels are at a higher level. These drains need to be lowered to restore full tidal exchange,” said NatConnect director B N Kumar, cautioning that without this, stagnation and algal blooms will persist despite periodic clean-ups.</p><p>The action follows earlier warnings of a “wetland emergency”, backed by laboratory evidence of severe deterioration across DPS, NRI and TS Chanakya wetlands — satellite habitats of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary.</p><p>All key indicators breached safe limits. TDS ranged between 17,000–23,000 mg/L (norm ~5,000), indicating poor flushing. pH levels above 9 signalled alkaline stress. BOD values of 14.8–23.6 mg/L — against a safe 3–5 mg/L — pointed to oxygen depletion, while COD levels of 47.5–73.5 mg/L confirmed chemical contamination, NatConnect said, citing poor enforcement of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/national-green-tribunal">National Green Tribunal</a> (NGT) directives on wetland protection and water quality.</p><p>The ecological fallout is already visible, with flamingos skipping the wetlands this season, suggesting disruption of the algae-based food chain, said activist Jyoti Nadkarni of Kharghar Wetlands and Hills Forum.</p><p>Rekha Sankhala, convener of Save Mangroves & Flamingos Forum, called for constant monitoring and restoration of the lake to its former “pink beauty,” expressing concern that the wetlands are still unfit to receive flamingos.</p><p>While the clean-up signals overdue action, a lasting solution is a must for the lake’s health, said Sandeep Sareen of Navi Mumbai Environmental Preservation Society.</p>
<p>Navi Mumbai: The mangrove cell has launched ‘Operation DPS Flamingo Lake cleanup’ in Nerul, clearing over 2.5 tonnes of algal sludge from a wetland that had turned toxic — marking the first on-ground response to months of environmental concern.</p><p>Forest officials deployed boats, removing 500–600 kg of algae daily, as thick deposits choked the flamingo habitat.</p><p>Environmentalists welcomed the move but warned it addresses only the visible symptoms of a deeper ecological failure.</p><p>“This is a good beginning, but we have miles to go,” said NatConnect Foundation, pointing to structural issues choking the wetland system.</p><p>At the core is disrupted intertidal flow. While high tide brings in seawater, low tide is too weak to flush out accumulated pollutants.</p>.Centre asks Maharashtra to address concerns on flamingo habitats in Navi Mumbai.<p>“The outgoing tide is not carrying the entire muck because the drainage channels are at a higher level. These drains need to be lowered to restore full tidal exchange,” said NatConnect director B N Kumar, cautioning that without this, stagnation and algal blooms will persist despite periodic clean-ups.</p><p>The action follows earlier warnings of a “wetland emergency”, backed by laboratory evidence of severe deterioration across DPS, NRI and TS Chanakya wetlands — satellite habitats of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary.</p><p>All key indicators breached safe limits. TDS ranged between 17,000–23,000 mg/L (norm ~5,000), indicating poor flushing. pH levels above 9 signalled alkaline stress. BOD values of 14.8–23.6 mg/L — against a safe 3–5 mg/L — pointed to oxygen depletion, while COD levels of 47.5–73.5 mg/L confirmed chemical contamination, NatConnect said, citing poor enforcement of <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/tags/national-green-tribunal">National Green Tribunal</a> (NGT) directives on wetland protection and water quality.</p><p>The ecological fallout is already visible, with flamingos skipping the wetlands this season, suggesting disruption of the algae-based food chain, said activist Jyoti Nadkarni of Kharghar Wetlands and Hills Forum.</p><p>Rekha Sankhala, convener of Save Mangroves & Flamingos Forum, called for constant monitoring and restoration of the lake to its former “pink beauty,” expressing concern that the wetlands are still unfit to receive flamingos.</p><p>While the clean-up signals overdue action, a lasting solution is a must for the lake’s health, said Sandeep Sareen of Navi Mumbai Environmental Preservation Society.</p>