Flamingo festival takes flight

Flamingos at the NRI wetlands

Flamingos have become an integral element of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai's coastal ecosystem. Taking this relationship to the next level, environment-focused groups in both regions have teamed up to celebrate World Migratory Bird Day (WBMD), observed on the second weekends of May and September, to highlight the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.

During the pandemic, the day was observed with virtual seminars focused on the need to conserve biodiversity and migratory bird destinations. This Saturday, the two-fold live event will include a bird-watching session at the DPS (Delhi Public School) Lake, followed by activities in the auditorium. Also on show are a photo exhibition on mangroves, mud flats, and wetlands; a flamingo dance; a film and a craft session for children. The show is listed as part of the WBMD global events. Apart from Delhi Public School, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and the State Mangrove Foundation have extended their support for the event.

BN Kumar

BN Kumar, director of NatConnect Foundation, organisers of the festival, said, "The civic body has given the Flamingo City tag to Navi Mumbai as it attracts the country's largest number of flamingos for an urban area." BNHS reported that 1.5 lakh birds visited the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary this year.

"While we enjoy the pleasant sight of various bird species from across the world, it is equally important to understand their regular destinations. We need to focus on wetlands, mudflats and mangroves to keep ecological balance in check," he reminds us.

BNHS has identified several wetlands as part of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) satellite wetland management plan to be a refuge for birds during high tides. Sunil Agrawal of Save Navi Mumbai Environment Forum said the festival will also focus on the dwindling CRZ and constant threats to wetlands. The ongoing construction, adjoining the twin wetlands of NRI and TS Chanakya, is a glaring example of such violations.

Naresh Chandra Singh of Kharghar Wetlands & Hills expressed hope that the event will create awareness among citizens to shed apathy and start worrying about the constant damage to the environment under the guise of urban development. CIDCO has been neglecting the damage to wetlands and mangroves while also destroying the hills for levelling the golf course, Singh regretted.

Why tagging matters

During the time of migration, birds fly through the Central Asia Flyway. The BNHS tags these birds to learn about their destination. Tags attached to the legs of the birds help in identification and to keep track of their movements. Interestingly, BNHS has decided to radio tag flamingos, to help locate the birds via GPS.

On: May 14 time 12 pm onwards at Delhi Public Lake, Sector 32, Seawoods
Log on to: natconnectfoundation.com