Mumbai Creeks Bathed In Pink As Flamingos Start Arriving In Fewer Numbers This Year, Concerning Environmentalists

The transition from summer to winter brings about a lot of changes in our surroundings. Humans like to stay warm and wear winter clothing. Similarly, animals and birds migrate to different locations based on the weather conditions they are accustomed to. The western region of India is home to one such migratory flock. The arrival of winter-summer avian guest flamingos in Mumbai is drawing nature enthusiasts and birders.

Flamingos Spotting In Mumbai

 

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The Mumbai region witnesses the arrival of flamingos in October-November. Flamingos stay put there till around June, which is the time when the monsoon sets in. According to environmentalists, flamingos are beginning to arrive in Mumbai, but in lesser numbers than they did the previous year.

According to B N Kumar, director of the NatConnect Foundation, some two dozen flamingos have been spotted in Vashi and T S Chanakya wetland in Nerul in recent days. And more are anticipated over the course of the following month, as reported by Deccan Herald. A flourishing flamingo population envelops Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS), the sole Ramsar site of worldwide significance.

Environmental organisations are concerned about the sharp decline in flamingo populations in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which has seen a drop from 4.5 lakh birds five years ago to 1.3 lakh birds in 2022, according to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) statistics.

Also Read: BNHS Confirms Migratory Flamingos And Birds Not A Threat To Navi Mumbai International Airport

Reason Behind The Decrease In Flamingo Population

Despite many complaints from authorities, Sagar Shakti’s leader, Nandakumar Pawar, voiced worry about the pollution of Thane Creek caused by urban and industrial effluents, as reported by Deccan Herald.

Navi Mumbai contains six wetlands. Three of these six wetlands—in Belpada, Panje in Uran, and Bhendkhal—have already been devastated by landfilling and intertidal water flow obstruction. DPS Flamingo Lake and NRI Wetland are inhospitable to flamingos because of their stagnant water, which is covered in a lot of muck and moss.

Due to vested interests obstructing intertidal water flow in DPS Lake, which caused the lake to dry up, some flamingos perished in May and June. As a result, they began to wander off the wetlands and onto major roadways in pursuit of food.

Also Read: Harsh LED Lights At DPS Lake, Navi Mumbai, That Blind Flamingoes To Be Replaced With Yellow Bulbs

Once referred to as the “flamingo city,” Navi Mumbai is currently experiencing a crisis.

Cover Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons