Flamingos yet to arrive at Navi Mumbai wetlands, activists warn of toxic waters

Concerns have been raised ahead of the flamingo season in Navi Mumbai. Representational Pic/File

Flamingos were reportedly yet to arrive at Navi Mumbai wetlands as the season kicks off, with the environment activists pointing out at alleged toxic water conditions.

The climate activists have raised alarms over a ‘wetland emergency' in Navi Mumbai, after water tests revealed toxic conditions in three key flamingo habitats, reported the PTI.

The DPS, NRI, and T S Chanakya lakes at Nerul serve as satellite wetlands for the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS), a Ramsar site, and are crucial for migratory flamingos.

Climate activists are demanding swift action to restore tidal flow, improve water quality, and enforce environmental protections to save Navi Mumbai's wetlands. With flamingos failing to arrive and toxic waters threatening local biodiversity, the situation is being framed as a public health and ecological emergency.

Flamingo season in Navi Mumbai runs from November to May, with January to March being the peak period. Bird watchers and enthusiasts gather at these wetlands to see the pink parade, but this year, the flamingos have not arrived, highlighting the ecological stress.

Lab results reveal severe water pollution

Water samples tested by the NatConnect Foundation showed alarming results. Four basic indicators likeTDS, pH, BOD, and COD which are all pointed to stagnant, over-concentrated water rather than the natural tidal flushing required for a healthy wetland.

"The water is not moving as it should in a healthy intertidal wetland," said B N Kumar, director of NatConnect Foundation. Blocked or restricted tidal flow has turned these wetlands into stagnant, polluted basins as per PTI.

Governance failure blamed

Activists blamed the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) for the decline, citing unchecked development over conservation. Regulators such as the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority and the forest department have reportedly "looked the other way," failing to enforce protections for the public asset.

"These wetlands were our pride. Today, they are being destroyed in full view," said Rekha Sankhala of the Save Flamingos and Mangroves Forum as per PTI reports.

Ecological consequences

Flamingos rely on algae and microorganisms that thrive in balanced wetland conditions. With water quality deteriorating, the food chain collapses, turning once-thriving feeding grounds into stressed habitats. The absence of flamingos this season suggests that the ecosystem may have crossed a critical threshold.

"Flamingos are the canary in our ecosystem's coal mine," warned Sandeep Sareen of the Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society. Activist Pamela Cheema added that CIDCO's neglect has also put groundwater and biodiversity at risk, urging immediate government intervention.

(With PTI Inputs)