Greens slam CIDCO move to scrap DPS conservation status

CIDCO, at its Board of Directors meeting on April 30, 2025, passed a resolution authorising its Managing Director to take up the issue with the government and has since expedited its efforts to get the lake “de-reserved.”

Environmental groups have urged Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis not to entertain the city planner City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Ltd’s (CIDCO) proposal to revoke the Conservation Reserve status of the DPS Flamingo Lake, a crucial habitat for migratory birds in Navi Mumbai.

In an urgent email to the Chief Minister on World Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, NatConnect Foundation appealed to the government to “save the flamingo abode” and protect the city’s fragile biodiversity from being destroyed in the name of development.

NatConnect, which obtained a copy of the Board Resolution, expressed shock that CIDCO has “once again raised the bogey” of bird strike threats due to wetlands around the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).

“CIDCO itself is the project proponent of NMIA, which has already submitted to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) that biodiversity around the airport will be protected as per the recommendations of the BNHS,” said NatConnect Director B N Kumar.

Kumar pointed out that the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)—mandated by CIDCO to study bird flight patterns had clearly stated that migratory birds fly much lower than aircraft.

“This report was submitted to the Centre and even to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” he said.

Kumar further noted that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had already issued the aerodrome licence the final permission to operate commercial flights following which Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport.

“CIDCO has again proved its anti-environment stance,” Kumar remarked, urging the government to “realise the disastrous effects of playing with wetlands, which act as natural sponges by absorbing excess water, mitigating floods, and contributing to carbon absorption.”

The DPS Flamingo Lake was accorded Conservation Reserve status by the State Wildlife Board on April 17, 2025, following sustained efforts by environmentalists and with the support of State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik.

Expressing concern over CIDCO’s fresh move, Rekha Sankhala, convenor of the Save Flamingos and Mangroves Forum, said the development is “deeply alarming.”

“This wetland is not just a local biodiversity hotspot—it is a critical stopover for countless migratory birds who depend on it for survival,” Sankhala said.

“To undermine its protection is to disregard both ecological responsibility and international conservation commitments. We call on CIDCO and all stakeholders to honour the spirit of this day by safeguarding, not sacrificing, vital habitats like DPS Lake.”

Activist Sandeep Sareen of the Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society added: “The DPS Lake has been conserved with the purpose of preserving the environment of ‘The Flamingo City’, and any decision contrary to this purpose will jeopardize the lives of future generations.”

NatConnect also underscored that the DPS Flamingo Lake was given the Conservation Reserve status after thorough studies by the State Forest Department, the Wildlife Institute of India (under MoEFCC), and the BNHS.

The foundation has now urged the Maharashtra government to expedite the issuance of a Government Resolution (GR) to formally grant the site Conservation Reserve status without further delay.

“This is not just about one lake,” Kumar stressed. “It’s about protecting the natural character of Navi Mumbai and honouring India’s commitment to migratory bird conservation.”

CIDCO, despite being the town planning authority, is not at all concerned with nature and wildlife, and they just want to make money, said Nandakumar Pawar, director of Sagar Shakti NGO. “Destruction of wetlands in the name of development is an invitation to disaster, and we strongly condemn this destructive attitude of CIDCO,” Pawar said.

CIDCO officials have not responded so far.