Winged visitors in Mumbai; cry for safety tag on wetlands

With the onset of migration of Flamingos and other migratory birds to Mumbai, bird watchers and ornithologists have demanded that the long-pending proposals to declare the Thane and Sewri wetlands, which the birds depend on for feeding and shelter needs, as protected sites be expedited.

“We have begun receiving positive reports about the arrival of Flamingoes and Waders to Mumbai and surrounding areas. For ensuring protection to the ecology which supports these birds, it is essential that the state government pass its own proposals and declare the creeks as protected areas so that legal protection can be ensured. We are eagerly awaiting the same,” said Asad Rahmani, ornithologist and member of the Standing Committee of the National Wildlife Board.

Project Director with environment non-profit Vanashakti, Stalin D, criticised the state government for its delay in listing the areas as protected areas. “Despite having a far varied bird population, India has only six Ramsar sites and the United Kingdom 137. All of this is because the state government is apathetic and has not cared to forward crucial data concerning the site to international agencies for getting it the status,” he alleged. “They want to auction away all the land to big developers.”

AK Nigam, additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests,  said: “The proposals are under consideration and it is for the government to take a decision on the same now,” said Nigam.

Flamingos migrate to Mumbai from Kutch at the onset of winter and stay on till the first rains. Apart from about 15,000 flamingos, the mudflats also support more than 24 other water bird species.