Navi Mumbai: In a significant environmental intervention, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of the alarming deaths of flamingos around DPS Flamingo Lake in Nerul, Navi Mumbai. The Principal Bench of the NGT has issued notices to the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO), the state forest department, and the wetland authority, highlighting serious concerns over the compliance with environmental norms.
The NGT’s decision comes in response to a news report that brought to light the environmental degradation in the area. The Tribunal underscored the need for adherence to the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017; the Biological Diversity Act, 2002; and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with Justice A Expert has referred the matter to the Western Zonal Bench, scheduling a hearing for July 17.
The report that prompted the NGT’s action indicated that two out of three inlets of the lake were blocked by newly constructed roads by CIDCO, resulting in stagnant water. This condition is unsuitable for flamingos, which typically require flowing water habitats. Additionally, the NGT noted CIDCO’s alleged disregard for a Bombay High Court ruling intended to protect the lake, with plans instead for future development. The Tribunal also took note of the obstruction caused by the defunct Nerul Jetty, which, according to the report, blocks the natural inlets of the lake, thereby destroying the flamingos’ habitat. This has forced the birds to wander onto streets, posing a danger to their lives.
Furthermore, the NGT highlighted the detrimental impact of light pollution, a phenomenon where newly installed LED lights impair the vision of flamingos, leading to disorientation and collisions with various objects, often resulting in injury or death. In light of these observations, the NGT has included the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in Nagpur, the Maharashtra Wetland Authority, CIDCO, and the Thane district Collector as respondents. They have been directed to submit their responses to the Western Zonal Bench.
Environmentalists have welcomed the NGT’s prompt response, appreciating the Tribunal’s initiative in addressing the critical issues affecting the flamingo population in Navi Mumbai. This intervention is seen as a crucial step towards ensuring the protection and preservation of the region’s biodiversity.
The case underscores the urgent need for stringent enforcement of environmental regulations and proactive measures to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the concerned authorities will respond to the NGT’s directives and what measures will be implemented to mitigate the crisis.
