200 birds to be radio tagged; Mangrove Foundation and BNHS sign MoU

What can be termed as an important study the Mangrove Foundation signed a MoU with BNHS on Monday to understand the movement patterns and habitat use by birds wintering in the Thane Creek through Telemetry StudiesThe total budget of the project is Rs 529 Crores and BNHS will execute the work It is planned to deploy 200 satellite transmitters on at least 20 different species of migratory water birds in the next three years The Mangrove Foundation will also be releasing the first instalment of fund of Rs 454 crores to BNHS soonWith regards to the development of the High Speed Railway System Bullet Train in the region the MoEFampCC had directed for the preparation of a mitigation plan for the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary TCFS In this regard the Mangrove Cell had prepared a mitigation plan which was approved by the PCCF WL and Chief Wildlife Warden Maharashtra State in May 2021 The funds to implement the activities under the said mitigation plan have been provided to the Mangrove Foundation by the National High Speed Rail Corporation Ltd NHSRCL total funds provided for the implementation of the mitigation plan Rs 992 CroresAmong the various activities planned under the mitigation plan Rs 529 Crores is allocated to this large scale satelliteradio tagging study of migratory birds in TCFS as proposed by BNHSWith regards to the establishment of the High Speed Railway System Bullet Train the Mumbai ndash Ahmedabad route will pass through a tunnel under the Thane creek bed 30 m depth and the NHSRCL had appointed CSIRCentral Institute of Mining and Fuel Research CIMFR to carry out a study in this regard and the said study showed that tunnelling can be carried out without any disturbance to the mudflats in the creek at a depth of 2025 metersAlso Read Mumbai Chedda Nagar Junction flyover enters crucial phase of constructionIntertidal mudflats in the Thane Creek provide essential feeding grounds for thousands of migratory birds This habitat is a productive system that support important species with valuable ecosystem functions and provide food resources for bird assemblages Nearly a quarter of a million birds migrate every winter to Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary TCFS and spend nearly five to six months With the support of Mangrove Foundation BNHS has been carrying out a longterm bird ringing programme in TCFS While the ringing programme gives an idea about pointtopoint movement of migratory water birds it doesnrsquot reveal much about the fine scale movement and habitat use pattern in TCFS during their wintering periodIn a region like Mumbai where developmental projects are imperative it is important to have a clear understanding of the intensity of use of Thane Creek and its adjoining areas through advance scientific techniques so that appropriate conservation action can be taken while dealing with development projectsVirendra Tiwari Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Mangrove Cell said The present study is a first largescale satellite tagging study of migratory birds anywhere in India where we are planning to satellite tag 200 birds This study will certainly bring out some important data about the local and long distance movement of various migratory birds wintering in the Thane Creek and surrounding areasrsquoldquoThis project will significantly enhance our understanding of the use of area by migratory waterbirds thereby helping us to plan linear infrastructure projects without compromising the conservation significance of the region Telemetry generates useful data to determine migratory routes critical stopover sites and anthropogenic barriers to migrationrdquo said Dr Bivash Pandav Director BNHS