In a bid to protect flamingos from the adverse effects of bright streetlights, the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) of Navi Mumbai has announced plans to replace existing white LED lights with light-yellow LEDs. This decision follows a series of incidents where flamingos were injured or killed due to disorientation caused by the intense white streetlights along their migratory routes.
CIDCO had previously taken steps to remove tall signage at the Nerul jetty to address similar concerns. The initiative involves replacing streetlights on 96 electric poles along the road leading to the water transport terminal at Nerul jetty, with the entire project expected to cost approximately ₹28.97 lakh. According to CIDCO officials, the bright white lights have been identified as a significant factor in disorienting flamingos, causing them to collide with structures in the area. Environmental activist highlighted the impact of light pollution on urban wildlife, stating, “Light pollution is one of the detrimental effects of urban living that disorients birds. This issue is not new; it led to a similar campaign against bright lights at Vadale Lake in Panvel.” The official’s concerns are shared by other conservationists who have witnessed the harmful effects of excessive artificial lighting on local wildlife.
The issue gained urgency after 17 flamingos were reported to have died between January and April after becoming disoriented by the bright lights and crashing into a 20-foot tall signboard at the water transport terminal. An activist with the “Save Flamingos and Mangroves” group, noted, “While CIDCO addressed some of our concerns by removing the signboard in February, incidents of flamingo deaths continued.” Director of the NGO NatConnect, explained that after removing the signage, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) identified bright streetlights as the next probable cause of these incidents. “Officials recommended that the civic body replace the existing lights with yellow bulbs, angled at 45 degrees, to direct light downwards rather than sideways,” the official stated. He expressed optimism that CIDCO would adhere to these specifications in the new project.
By switching to light-yellow LEDs, CIDCO aims to mitigate the disorienting effects of bright streetlights on flamingos, while ensuring that Navi Mumbai remains a safe haven for these migratory birds. The new lighting strategy is seen as a necessary step in balancing urban development with environmental conservation, reflecting a growing awareness of the impact of light pollution on local wildlife.
