
Maharashtra: A month since inauguration, Bhandup bird habitat overtakes Airoli marine centre in revenue
Almost a month after the Maharashtra forest department began regulating the entry of visitors to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) from Bhandup Pumping Station (BPS) in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs, the area received more visitors than the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre (CMBC) at Airoli in November.
This was identified on the basis of revenue collected at Bhandup, which overtook Airoli’s in the first month.
According to the monthly report compiled by the department, Bhandup collected a revenue of Rs105,650 between November 5 and 30. Rs 101,416 revenue was collected at the CMBC from November 1 and 30.
“Bhandup is displaying all features of a birders’ paradise that are being appreciated by visitors. The idea was never to focus on revenue but to regulate and protect this zone, which has now begun. Now we exactly know how many people are going and at the same time nuisance activities [open drinking or unregulated entry] have stopped completely,” said Virendra Tiwari, additional principal chief conservator of forest (Mangrove Cell).
The 11-hectare BPS is a satellite wetland of the flamingo sanctuary.
“The main aim is to concentrate on this part of TCFS with the sole purpose to protect, conserve and create awareness among masses about birds and other biodiversity,” said Tiwari. He added a plan was being prepared on how the area could be further developed.
Stalin D, director, Vanashakti, an NGO, said BPS has the potential to be the best forest tourism spot in Mumbai. “It can showcase the wetland biodiversity like no other place in Thane creek. We are continuously working to improve the ecological and aesthetic value of this zone, which is expected to see a massive facelift over the next six months to a year.”
In August 2016, Maharashtra declared the northern part of Thane creek as a flamingo sanctuary across 1,690 ha.

Relationship with India remains strong, says US in R-Day greeting

No place for such incidents in democracy: Cong
- Putting the onus of Tuesday's events on the government and questioning it for not accepting the farmers demands, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said it was not right on the government's part to create a facade of talks and neither conceding to their demands nor proposing any solution.

'Tandav' director to appear before Lucknow Police, crucial SC hearing tomorrow

Legal action to be taken against those who assaulted police during tractor rally

Cold wave intensifies in parts of Rajasthan; some respite for Kashmir

Expelled AIADMK leader Sasikala to be released from prison tomorrow
- Sasikala was sentenced to four-year imprisonment in February 2017 in the ₹66 crore disproportionate assets case along with her sister-in-law J Ilavarasi and former Tamil Nadu chief minister late Jayalalithaa's foster son VN Sudhakaran.

Timeline of Trouble: Vandalism and violence during Delhi’s R-Day tractor rally

Delhi police: 83 personnel injured after clashes during farmers' tractor rally

India thanks British PM Boris Johnson for Republic Day wishes

Sasikala to be released on January 27 after serving four-year term in prison

News updates from HT: 19 people hospitalised following violence at tractor rally
- Here are today’s top news, analysis, and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.

Violence by certain elements in Delhi unacceptable, says Captain Amarinder
- Captain Amarinder Singh the violence would negate the goodwill the farmers had earned through their peaceful protests so far.

Shiromani Akali Dal condemns violence in Delhi during farmers' tractor parade

Haryana shuts down mobile internet services in three NCR districts
- The Haryana government said the decision was taken on the basis of intelligence reports on the likelihood of violence and disturbance of public peace in the state's national capital region districts
