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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 7:24:18 pm

Flamingo City may see early ‘pink influx’, wetlands worry

Pollution, algal growth and disrupted tidal flows threaten key bird habitats Flamingos could arrive in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai earlier than usual this winter, potentially in larger numbers, but environmentalists warn that deteriorating wetlands may leave the migratory birds with inadequate feeding grounds. Polluted water, excessive algal growth and disrupted tidal flows threaten three key habitats DPS Flamingo Lake, NRI Wetland and TS Chanakya Wetland raising concerns over the region’s...

Flamingo City may see early ‘pink influx’, wetlands worry

Pollution, algal growth and disrupted tidal flows threaten key bird habitats Flamingos could arrive in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai earlier than usual this winter, potentially in larger numbers, but environmentalists warn that deteriorating wetlands may leave the migratory birds with inadequate feeding grounds. Polluted water, excessive algal growth and disrupted tidal flows threaten three key habitats DPS Flamingo Lake, NRI Wetland and TS Chanakya Wetland raising concerns over the region’s preparedness for the annual arrival of the pink visitors, NatConnect Foundation said. Senior scientist Mrugank Prabhu of Srushti Conservation Foundation expects the birds to arrive early, possibly in greater numbers. A deficient monsoon in Kutch could affect water levels and food availability, prompting flamingos to seek alternative feeding grounds sooner than usual, said Prabhu, who has been studying bird movements along the Central Asian Flyway. NatConnect director B N Kumar said the three wetlands were not adequately prepared to receive the birds, which attract birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts to Navi Mumbai and the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS), a Ramsar site. The concerns follow private laboratory tests commissioned by NatConnect earlier this year, which found elevated pollution indicators in water samples collected from all three sites. Kumar said flamingos had moved north to Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan during the previous migratory season, while arrivals in the Mumbai region began in smaller batches. He cautioned that deteriorating wetlands could fail to provide suitable feeding grounds if the birds arrived early in search of alternative habitats. NRI Wetland in Nerul has been affected by extensive algal growth, while neighbouring TS Chanakya Lake faces waterlogging and drainage problems. Environmentalists attribute these issues to encroachment and interference with natural water flows. Kumar called for urgent restoration, expressing concern over delays in securing formal legal protection for the wetlands.

Jarange accuses Shinde of Rs 500-cr payoff

Writer: Abhijit Mulye
Abhijit Mulye
4 hours ago
2 min read

Urges Marathas to defeat anti-quota leaders in 2029 polls.

Mumbai: ​Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil accused Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde of accepting Rs 500 crore from the BJP to silence his reservation campaign during a public address at the rally in Narayangad on Tuesday.


​Addressing the massive gathering, Jarange Patil claimed the funds were taken in his name as part of a deep-rooted conspiracy to derail the ongoing Maratha reservation movement.


Throwing a direct challenge at the Shiv Sena chief, the activist demanded that Shinde clarify the issue immediately, warning that he would otherwise expose the truth. He confidently stated that he possesses solid proof of the transaction, which he claimed would shake the political ground beneath the state leadership.  


​The activist further alleged that this financial manoeuvring was part of a deliberate plot hatched to isolate the Maratha community and subject its members to targeted harassment.


Recalling his earlier hunger strike at Antarwali-Saraati, Jarange Patil noted that he first caught wind of this conspiracy while fasting. Emphasising his unfamiliarity with such massive wealth, he reiterated his unwavering commitment to fighting for the community's rights and ensuring their progress until his last breath.  


​Beyond the political bombshell, Jarange Patil also used the platform to highlight the severe drought situation gripping the state. He urged the Maratha community to stand united in the face of both natural calamities and political crises, noting that the environmental challenges are likely to worsen in the coming days.


The serious allegations levelled during the rally have significantly escalated the ongoing friction between the state government and the Maratha quota agitators.


Anti-Quota Leaders

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Tuesday urged the community to defeat political leaders who oppose reservation in the next elections.


Addressing a Dussehra rally at Narayangad pilgrimage site in Beed tehsil, Jarange slammed the Devendra Fadnavis government over the "meagre" drought compensation of Rs 5,000 for crisis-hit farmers.


Jarange said elected representatives had amassed enormous personal wealth while leaving ordinary citizens and poor Marathas in dire distress.


He advised Maratha students to study diligently, clear civil service examinations, and enter bureaucratic posts so they can effectively address the systemic issues facing their community.


"Those political leaders who oppose reservation for the Maratha community shouldn't be re-elected in 2029. They should be unseated from power," said Jarange, who had staged multiple hunger strike protests for OBC quota.


Jarange also trained his guns on the state's agrarian policies, slamming what he termed nominal financial assistance for agrarian distress.


"The government has sanctioned a mere Rs 5,000 relief per family as drought relief. How are farmers expected to survive or celebrate festivals like Diwali on such a paltry sum? he asked and demanded Rs 1 lakh per hectare compensation for drought-affected farmers.


He also demanded swift clearance of pending crop insurance dues and an unconditional waiver of all outstanding agricultural loans.

 

 

 

 

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