Environmentalists report that flamingos have begun returning to the DPS Flamingo Lake in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, after nearly three years, thanks to the partial restoration of intertidal water flow.
NatConnect Foundation called the development “wonderful news,” even as the State Mangrove Cell’s proposal to declare the lake a Conservation Reserve awaits government action.
Environmentalists, who have campaigned tirelessly for the restoration of the lake—damaged by the blockage of tidal flow due to vested interests—are now seeing some hope. “We’re glad to witness a return of water flow,” said NatConnect director B N Kumar.
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However, full revival is still far off, Kumar noted, following a joint site inspection with local Mangrove Cell officials on Saturday. The visit was held on the instructions of Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, who had directed the opening of blocked water channels. Kharghar Wetlands and Hills Forum co-convenor Jyoti Nadkarni, who was also present, criticized CIDCO’s delay in fully restoring the lake, which has kept flamingos away from the waterbody.
With the limited water flow, nearly 60–70% of the algae that had accumulated in the lake has cleared, said Range Forest Officer Sudhir Manjare. He emphasized that the two inlets need to be lowered to allow full tidal flow in and out of the lake.
Minister Naik earlier assured NatConnect that he has instructed CIDCO and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) officials to act without further delay. “Don’t worry, I will not rest until the DPS lake blooms with flamingos again,” Naik promised.
The DPS Flamingo Lake is part of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary’s satellite wetland system—a Ramsar site of international importance. Flamingos frequent satellite wetlands like Panje, DPS Lake, and the NRI and T.S. Chanakya wetlands during high tide for feeding and resting.
The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has repeatedly stressed the need to protect these satellite wetlands as part of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) management plan. Disruptions in this delicate ecosystem could drive the birds to roost on higher ground near the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), posing a serious bird strike risk.
The Adani group, which manages NMIA, has acknowledged these concerns in its environmental impact and compliance reports to the Centre and pledged to follow BNHS recommendations to preserve biodiversity in the airport’s vicinity, Kumar added.
“We sincerely hope CIDCO will finally do what’s needed and help bring the lake back to its former glory,” said Rekha Sankhaka of the Save Navi Mumbai Flamingos and Mangroves Forum.
