Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray says the forest department has written to Wildlife Institute of India for suggestions to safely implement the plan
Powai lake has a sizeable number of Indian Marsh crocodiles
If all goes according to plan, you may soon be able to enjoy a crocodile safari boat ride at the Powai Lake. The project is being planned together by the state’s tourism and forest departments. The Forest Department has also written to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) seeking suggestions for the plan. Authorities are exploring the option of having slow motorised rides so that the Indian Marsh crocodiles living in the lake are not disturbed.
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Talking to mid-day, Environment and Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray said, “The tourism department and forest department are working closely to create a crocodile safari boat ride at Powai lake. We are working out a plan to ensure human and crocodile safety. There are certain basic dos and don’ts given by the experts.”
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (APCCF) Sunil Limaye said, “The forest department has written to the WII to conduct a short study for environment-friendly tourism and suggest measures to prevent disturbance to the Indian Marsh crocodile and pollution.” Limaye wrote to Dhananjay Mohan, director, WII on February 1.
The govt had earlier axed plans for water sports because of crocodiles. File pic
The Powai Lake is spread over 6.61 square kilometres. While there has not been a census, it is said that there are over 40 crocodiles in it and there has been photographic evidence, too.
What the letter says
“It is proposed to find out whether safe boating activity as a part of tourism could be started in Powai Lake? Despite its location in the bustling heart of the central suburbs of Mumbai, the Powai lake for several years been home to a large number of crocodiles. Though it is an endangered species under Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, no specific study has been done on the total number of crocodiles in the lake or its habitat making it difficult to protect them. Sewage water from nearby buildings is also flowing into the lake, causing the growth of blue-green algae and depleting the oxygen in the lake,” the APCCF’s letter states.
Considering this background, the WII has been asked to comment whether boating activity can be conducted at the lake.
The Indian Marsh crocodile. Pic/Ranjeet Jadhav
“If yes, then what are precautions to be taken? And whether a rapid survey or study is required before commencing the boating activity,” the letter concluded.
At present this lake is being used for recreational purpose only. Many crocodiles have been seen on the lakeside. Earlier there was a plan to start water sports activities in Powai Lake but due to the presence of crocodiles, this plan was shelved.
Recently, the Mangroves Department, a wing of the state Forest Department had started crocodile safari at Songaon village in Khed taluka. The village is famous among wildlife lovers as a crocodile village due to the high population of the Indian Marsh crocodile.
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