Flamingos and mangroves at Uran might soon be a thing of the past. Environmentalists and nature lovers have raised concerns over the port expansion work underway at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) area near Nhava Sheva. According to them the expansion project that includes reclamation of 14 hectares mangrove land at the North side of the existing port will eventually destroy wetlands spread over 300 hectares behind the JNPT Custom House.

Wetland in trouble: The port expansion work has begun at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust area near Nhava Sheva (above) and (below) the mangroves that will be affected. Pics/Suresh KK