Mumbai: BMC halts hyacinth removal from Powai lake to protect bird nests

Powai lake has a sizeable number of Indian Marsh crocodiles

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has halted the removal of hyacinths from Powai Lake to protect bird nests during the nesting season. The work on the Pipeline Road and IIT Mumbai side has been temporarily halted till June 10, 2024. However, hyacinth eradication continues along Adi Shankaracharya Road, where no nests have been identified.

This decision was reached after a joint inspection by BMC authorities and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), in response to recommendations from bird watchers and scholars. The BMC is committed to protecting the natural habitat while eliminating about 24,985 metric tonnes of hyacinth from Powai Lake. As of May 22nd, 2024, approximately 13,920 metric tonnes (55 per cent) have been removed.

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Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani stressed the need to include nature researchers in the process. During an examination on May 18, 2024, BNHS officers and bird watchers discovered bird habitats along Pipeline Road and IIT Mumbai, causing a temporary halt.

"While removing the hyacinth from Powai Lake, consideration of the bird nesting and nesting season has led to the temporary halting of work on the Pipeline Road and IIT Mumbai side until 10th June 2024. However, the work continues to remove water hyacinth along Adi Shankaracharya Road. Recently, a joint inspection of hyacinth removal work at Powai Lake was conducted by BMC officials, along with office-bearers from the Bombay Natural History Society. Taking into account the suggestions from bird observers and researchers, BMC has rescheduled the hyacinth removal to protect and conserve the natural habitat," said the BMC in their press note.

BMC further added, "Under the Project for Natural Conservation and Rejuvenation of Powai Lake, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is in the process of removing hyacinth and floating vegetation from the lake. A total of about 24,985 metric tonnes of hyacinth is estimated to be removed. Of this, about 13,920 metric tonnes (55 per cent) have been removed to date (22nd May 2024)."

According to their press statement, the BNHS crew, which included Governing Board Member Debi Goenka and Deputy Director Rahul Khot, as well as local birdwatchers, discovered nests of Black-winged Stilts, Egrets, Jacanas, Swamphens, Lapwings and Whistling Ducks. They suggested employing harvester machines rather than porcelain machines to reduce disturbance.

The BMC stated that only hyacinths and floating vegetation will be removed, not silt or shrubs. The BNHS also asked for measures to safeguard bird nests from stray dogs and other animals, which the BMC agreed to implement, the BMC report stated.

The hyacinth removal project began on March 8, 2024, and is expected to be completed by June 10, 2024, guaranteeing little interruption to the natural habitat during the bird breeding season.