Navi Mumbai: Flamingos have begun their annual departure from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) with the arrival of the monsoon, ending a migration season marked by delayed arrivals and sharply lower numbers, conservationists said.Birdwatchers reported that flamingos have disappeared from NRI wetland in Navi Mumbai, while their numbers at Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS), a Ramsar site of global importance, have also dwindled. “These are clear indications that the flamingo season has ended for now,” said environmentalist B N Kumar.Greens said every winter, thousands of flamingos arrive at TCFS before spreading to satellite wetlands such as the NRI wetland, DPS Flamingo Lake, T S Chanakya wetland, and the Bhandup pumping station in search of food.Bird lovers said that this season, however, stood out for the wrong reasons. The migratory birds arrived much later than usual, and their numbers were significantly lower than in previous years. “The delayed arrival and reduced population are warning signals. They reflect the combined impact of climate change and the deteriorating condition of our wetlands,” said a wildlife photographer.Environmentalists pointed to the worsening quality of creek water feeding the wetlands. Untreated sewage, pollution, siltation and impaired tidal flow degraded the mudflats where flamingos fed on algae, plankton and small aquatic organisms.The ecological condition of DPS Flamingo Lake, which is part of the NRI wetland complex, has steadily worsened, while the adjoining TS Chanakya wetland has also suffered degradation due to neglect and developmental pressures, said Kumar, who spearheaded the campaign that won Navi Mumbai recognition as ‘Flamingo City’.Conservationists cautioned that unless these fragile ecosystems were restored and protected, MMR could see not only shorter flamingo seasons, but also a continuing decline in the number of these winter visitors.
