Environmentalists from Navi Mumbai have complained about the blocking of tidal waters to the 35ha Talawe wetlands, which they claim is leading the disappearance or flamingoes in Navi Mumbai.
They claimed that the inter-tidal water is constantly blocked, rendering the Talawe wetlands’ stagnant water unsuitable for these birds.
The State CM Uddhav Thackeray received an email and asked the Urban Development and Environment department to investigate the greens complaints.
Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), has plans to obtain the Flamingo City tag. The activists claimed that this would be difficult because these birds have started to disappear from the strategic wetlands.
The CM has addressed the mail to Manisha Mhaiskar (Environment Principal Secretary) and Mahesh Pathak (Urban Development Secretary), NatConnect Foundation director, BN.
The Union Environment Ministry has asked the Maharashtra Wetland Authority and its State counterpart to investigate the complaints of green activists about the destruction of the two wetlands, Talawe or NRI, and TS Chanakya and requested them to file an Action Taken Report.
The State Mangrove Cell also expressed interest in conserving the wetlands, along with Belpada and Bhendkhal, and Panje wetlands, of Uran, according to a BNHS Plan to maintain them under Thane Creek Flamingo satellite sanctuary Project.
Kumar stated that it is extremely disturbing that artificial bunds block the tidal flow into the NRI wetlands and TS Chanakya wetlands. This is a dj vu from the sabotage by Urans Panje wetland.
Dharmesh barai stated that there has not been any evidence of flamingoes at these wetlands in recent years. He pointed out that mangroves have been chopped up and thrown into the wetlands.
The greens claimed that CIDCO was planning development activities instead of conserving these wetlands.
Priya Ratambe CIDCO PRO stated that the CIDCO is committed towards preserving the environment and dismissed the allegations of blocking the tidal flow. CIDCO follows the law in all its actions.
