Team Blitz India
THE Mangrove Committee will undertake a location visit at noon on May 29 to look into allegations that the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) is responsible for the bunds that are blocking tidal water from flowing into the DPS Flamingo Lake in Navi Mumbai, according to reports.
Referring to CIDCO as the landlord of the area, an environmental group has held it accountable for the construction, which is said to be touching mangroves on the eastern side and the wetland on the western side.
The complaint follows the “mystery deaths” of flamingos in the vicinity. NatConnect Foundation alleged that the city planner is responsible for blocking the tidal water flow to the lake in violation of the Union Ministry of Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) conditions.
It cited documents to claim that environmental clearance was obtained for the passenger water transport terminal at Nerul on the condition that the tidal water flow would not be blocked. A similar condition was laid down in the Government Order issued by the Revenue and Forest Ministry, according to B N Kumar, director of NatConnect.
The main water channel at the south end of the lake was buried in the work in the jetty, said Sandeep Sarin of Navi Mumbai Environmental Preservation Society.
“My heart breaks when I see the birds getting disoriented in search of food,” said Anjali Agrawal of Save Flamingos and Mangroves forum, while Jyoti Nadkarni of Kharghar Hill and Wetlands group said urban planners must realise the importance of wetlands and biodiversity.
