Never-before-seen images capture Flamingo spectacle in Mumbai's wetlands

For nearly six to seven months every year, the wetlands at T.S. Chanakya turn into a sojourn for flamingos. The exodus that takes place from Rann of Kutch in Gujarat culminates at the feeding grounds of Mangrove swamps in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Mid-day.com spoke to a city-based photographer Vidyasagar Hariharan who camouflages in nature to study their courtship dance

Updated On: 2024-01-15 12:31 PM IST

Compiled by : Ainie Rizvi

As per the IUCN Red List, the Lesser flamingos have been tagged as ‘Near Threatened’ which highlights the importance of preserving these winter birds. Photo Courtesy: Vidyasagar Hariharan

Lesser Flamingos captured in flight mode at TS Chanakya Lake in Navi Mumbai

The water is on fire. Lesser and Greater flamingos as seen from the Thane creek boat ride form a line of pink that looks like a line of fire

Flamingo spotting boat safari at Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary

Owing to the rich biodiversity naturally available at T.S. Chanakya – it has emerged as a natural habitat for these pink pilgrims

However, these habitats are threatened by the burgeoning real estate in the surrounding regions, share bird photographers and green activists

“The illegitimate filling up of wetlands and cutting of mangroves next to T.S. Chanakya is destroying their natural habitat,” reveals Vidyasagar Hariharan, a city-based birder and banker by profession

Hariharan has been documenting the juvenile greater flamingos, lesser flamingos and other waders in Mumbai’s wetlands since 2016

Additionally, the wetland champion and lawyer Sunil Agarwal has been working through his initiative Save Navi Mumbai environment to safeguard Navi Mumbai mangroves. Hariharan's photographs are aiding the fight to protect Flamingo's natural habitat

According to the statistics shared by BNHS, the wetlands of Mumbai are home to approximately 1,20,000 Flamingos during the peak of the winter season

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