Maha Mangrove cell steps in to save DPS Flamingo lake, asks CIDCO to clear water flow

Navi Mumbai: Even as environmental groups have expressed their concern at the filthy condition of the DPS Flamingo Lake at Nerul in Navi Mumbai, the State Mangrove Cell has asked CIDCO to clear water choke points as recommended by a high-level committee appointed by the government.

Mangrove Cell Head S V Ramarao, who is also the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, has written to CIDCO to ensure cleanliness of the lake which is visited by hundreds of flamingos.

The lake is under the jurisdiction of CIDCO, and has been in a pathetic condition as the intertidal water flow was blocked, NatConnect Foundation, which has been campaigning to save the 30 acre wetland said.

NatConnect Director B N Kumar has already complained to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on the sorry state of affairs.

Fadnavis has directed the Forest department to take action, Kumar said in a press statement.

A high-level committee headed by Forest Secretary Venugopal Reddy has earlier decided to recommend the protection of the DPS Lake as a conservation reserve and asked CIDCO ensure uninterrupted water flow to in and out of the wetland.

Incidentally, Ramarao is the member secretary of the committee of which CIDCO Managing Director is also a member.

Yet, the lake, which has been attracting hundreds of flamingos, is now full of moss and muck as the water flow has been blocked for a few months, NatConnect Foundation complained to the CM and top officials.

The committee has been appointed following a spate of flamingo deaths at the lake early last year after the waterboy remained dry following the blocking of the water inlet points by CIDCO.

It is essential to preserve the migratory bird destinations such as the DPS Lake and NRI, TS Chanakya and Panje wetlands to avoid bird strike threats to the aircraft at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), Kumar said quoting BNHS study reports.

The birds could land at mudflats around the airport if the birds are unable to land at the wetlands that they are used to during high tides at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS).

But the ground reality, even after more than three months of the DPS Lake Committee’s decision, the 30-acre wetland continues to be in a terrible shape, Sandeep Sareen of Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society, said.

Flamingos have started arriving into TCFS, though in very small numbers, but the DPS Lake, one of resting places for the pink birds during the hightide, is not in a fit condition, said Jyoti Nadkarni, convenor of Kharghar Wetlands and Hills forum.

The environmentalists, have therefore called for removal of the debris, earth from the inlets on both eastern and western sides; digging the channel one or two feet down and refix the cement pipes; maintaining security to check the water flow; sensitise the local community, too, to alert against any future violations and above all, launch inquiry into the persistent, consistent sabotage of the flamingo abode.