On World Wetlands Day, Navi Mumbai witnessed a peaceful demonstration as environmentalists and nature enthusiasts gathered to form a ‘silent human chain’ near the DPS Flamingo Lake in Nerul. The protest called on the Maharashtra government to protect the 30-acre wetlands, a vital habitat for flamingos, by designating it as a conservation reserve. The event aimed to bring attention to the urgent need for wetland preservation.
The peaceful protest follows a revelation in December through an RTI (Right to Information) request. The state’s mangrove cell had set up a nine-member committee that recommended the lake be declared a conservation reserve. Despite the recommendation, six months have passed, and the proposal remains pending. Meanwhile, the wetlands continue to suffer from environmental degradation, raising concerns about the future of the flamingos that rely on the area.
Sandeep Sareen, an activist with the Navi Mumbai Environmental Preservation Society (NMEPS), highlighted the urgency of action: “We are committed to restoring and maintaining the lake as a conservation reserve,” Sareen stated. The organization is dedicated to keeping the pressure on the government to act swiftly and decisively.
BN Kumar, director of NatConnect Foundation, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the lack of government action is exacerbating the situation. “The wetlands are being affected by blocked intertidal water, which is directly harming flamingos. This human chain is a call for urgent intervention,” Kumar said. He added that the flow of intertidal water must be restored, and the wetland cleaned up immediately to safeguard the ecosystem.
Sandeep Naik, a former Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), attended the event and expressed support for the cause. Naik pledged to take the issue to the relevant authorities, citing the Supreme Court’s mandate to protect intertidal wetlands and the recommendation by the State Forest Ministry for the declaration of conservation reserves. “Both these factors apply to DPS Flamingo Lake, and I will ensure that this is communicated to the concerned authorities,” Naik assured the crowd.
Unlike typical protests, the participants refrained from raising slogans or causing disruptions. Instead, they stood in solidarity along the roadside, holding placards with powerful messages, including “Wetlands Are Not Wastelands,” “Save Flamingo Homes – Our Wetlands,” and “Don’t Kill Nature’s Beauty.” These placards aimed to inform passing motorists and pedestrians about the importance of preserving the wetlands.
Kumar expressed his frustration with ongoing destructive activities around the wetland, highlighting that despite Navi Mumbai International Airport Limited’s (NMIAL) commitment to biodiversity conservation, projects around DPS Flamingo Lake continue to harm the environment. “The deliberate destruction of these wetlands by vested interests is a tragic irony,” he remarked.
Looking forward, environmentalists plan to escalate their efforts by meeting Maharashtra’s Forest Minister, Ganesh Naik, to advocate for the formal recognition and protection of DPS Flamingo Lake as part of the city’s rich biodiversity. Flamingos play an integral role in Navi Mumbai’s ecological identity, and conservationists remain resolute in their mission to preserve these wetlands for future generations.
The silent human chain event was a reminder of the importance of wetlands not only for wildlife but also for maintaining the ecological balance and the quality of life for residents. Environmentalists hope this demonstration will serve as a catalyst for action, compelling the government to recognize and protect the Nerul flamingo wetlands without further delay.
