The destruction of ecologically important wetlands seems to be continuing at a worrying pace in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Now, a wetland at Karal village in Uran is slowly being choked, as the water flowing into it has been stopped by the illegal dumping of debris. Activists claim part of it has even dried up.

Presently, many species of birds are seen in the area but if the dumping continues, this habitat will be lost. Activist Sunil Agarwal has been fighting to save the wetlands in Navi Mumbai and adjacent areas for a long time. Taking serious note of the destruction in Karal, Agarwal has sent a complaint regarding it to concerned officials, including the State Forest Secretary, Environment Secretary, Konkan Divisional Commissioner and the Mangroves Cell. Pictures and videos of the destruction were shot by a local student, after which Agarwal complained. "A wetland in nearby Karal village, Uran, has been divided into three parts due to two partitions made by dumping debris between it. Due to the partition, water doesn't flow to the other parts of the wetland. Hence the wetland on one side has dried," says the email he sent to the authorities.