Environmental Crisis a 600-meter Bund Blocks DPS Flamingo Lake

A striking violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms and a Bombay High Court judgement, a 600-metre-long bund has been constructed at DPS Flamingo Lake, causing significant environmental harm.

Local environmental groups have raised alarms, alleging that this construction has led to severe ecological damage, including the death of ten flamingos and injuries to several others. The NatConnect Foundation, a prominent NGO, has lodged a formal complaint with the Chief Minister and the High Court-appointed Mangrove Protection and Conservation Committee. According to the complaint, the bund has now become a kutcha road, obstructing the flow of tidal water into the lake and causing it to dry up. This disruption has severely affected the local wildlife, leading to disorientation and fatalities among flamingos. The bund’s construction not only breaches the CRZ notification of 1991 but also contravenes a September 2018 Bombay High Court judgement, which directed the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) to maintain the status quo of DPS Lake. As the landowner, Cidco is held accountable for this violation. The complaint asserts that the makeshift road blocks the free flow of tidal water into the 30-acre DPS Flamingo Lake, exacerbating the environmental crisis.

Further complicating the issue, the mangroves in this area have yet to be officially transferred to the Forest Department. NatConnect has called for immediate government intervention to remove the debris and earth, thereby restoring the natural water flow.  A review of Google Earth imagery post-February 1991, when the CRZ notification was issued, clearly shows that there was no road at this specific location, but rather dense vegetation indicative of mangroves. This visual evidence underscores the severity of the violation and the urgent need for remedial action. Environmental groups are demanding swift action from authorities to dismantle the bund and initiate measures to prevent further ecological damage. The preservation of DPS Flamingo Lake, a critical habitat for flamingos and other wildlife, hinges on the restoration of its natural water flow and strict enforcement of environmental regulations. The illegal construction of this bund not only poses a significant threat to the local ecosystem but also highlights the ongoing challenges in enforcing environmental laws and protecting natural habitats. The involvement of both state and central authorities is crucial to ensure that such violations are addressed promptly and effectively.