Navi Mumbai: CIDCO takes down jetty board amid flamingo deaths

The signboard in question, which obstructs the birds’ flight path

Following incidents of flamingo deaths, allegedly due to the birds dashing into the signboard at the Navi Mumbai jetty mid-flight, CIDCO authorities have commenced the board's removal over the gantry. In response to persistent demands, the dismantling of the board began on Saturday. "Better late than never," said NatConnect Foundation Director BN Kumar, who has termed the board in question "monstrous" in the past. It had been hindering the safe flight of the migratory birds in and out of the wetland.

A number of nature lovers and environmentalists in the area have been rallying for the board's demolition, including activists Rekha Sankhala and Jyoti Nadkarni. Advocate Pradeep Patole and Sunil Agarwal of the Save Navi Mumbai Environment group urged the authorities to act. Notably, Kailash Shinde, Joint MD, CIDCO, had promised environmentalist Shruti Agarwal of the same citizens action group that the board would be taken care of.

Previously, three flamingos also died under the same circumstances at the Nerul jetty. On February 16, another deadly incident took place, making it the third in the last two years. "Flamingos keep flying in and out of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, depending on the tidal water levels. The pink birds fly to the TCFS satellite wetlands of the Delhi Public School Lake; Non-Resident Indian Complex-Training Ship Chanakya area (NRI-TSC); Belpada; Bhendkhal; and Panje wetlands when the water level crosses 15 cm," Kumar said.

"Moreover, the irony is that the jetty has been non-functional for over three years due to water level issues," Agarwal added. This is the second incident in 2024, within a period of 15 days involving the death of seven flamingos, and injuries sustained by two others. "The flight path of the flamingos should have been kept in mind while sanctioning or planning structures in these areas."