2 bird habitats in Uran destroyed

Reclamation work has happened at wetlands at Jasai and Bhendkhal in Uran, Navi Mumbai, through excessive siltation and soil dumping, a seven-month bird ringing (tagging) study in MMR by Bombay Natural History Society revealed.

Two large bird habitats in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) — part of the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) — are no longer being visited by migratory birds after reclamation work, a new study revealed.

Two large bird habitats in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) — part of the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) — are no longer being visited by migratory birds after reclamation work, a new study revealed. (AFP)

Reclamation work has happened at wetlands at Jasai (330 hectares) and Bhendkhal (410 hectares) in Uran, Navi Mumbai, through excessive siltation and soil dumping, a seven-month bird ringing (tagging) study in MMR by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) revealed.

“The two avian habitats have been decimated through debris dumping over large water bodies, and cutting off high tide water,” said Deepak Apte, director, BNHS.

BNHS was designated as the state’s nodal agency for bird ringing studies by the Maharashtra forest department in March 2017.

As a part of BNHS’s 10-year bird ringing project, 3,100 migratory birds across 28 species were ringed from October 2018 to April 2019 across seven habitats - Sewri, Bhandup pumping station, behind NRI complex, TS Chanakya wetlands in Navi Mumbai, and Panje, Jasai, Bhendkhal in Uran. “Bird movement at Panje wetland too, has reduced significantly due to fluctuating tidal flow,” said Rahul Khot, assistant director, BNHS. “While Jasai and Bhendkhal are not fit for bird roosting or feeding anymore, remaining areas are under threat from development.”

Apte stressed that shrinking wetlands could pose a threat to air safety. “We found birds congregating across smaller wetland pockets closer to Navi Mumbai International Airport. This increases chances of bird hits when the airport becomes operational,” said Apte.

“The Raigad collector was directed to remove all debris from the Uran wetlands. However, due to elections, they could not go ahead with the tendering process,” said Neenu Somraj, member secretary, state wetlands committee.