NGO alleges CIDCO-NMSEZ behind this; nature lovers write to Uddhav Thackeray seeking action against the culprits
A grab from a recent video that shows firecrackers being set off at the Panje wetlands
Incidents of using fireworks to disturb birds continue in Navi Mumbai and its adjoining areas, with a latest video showing how some people are deliberately doing so at the Panje wetlands in Uran. Navi Mumbai-based nature lovers have taken serious note about the same and written a letter to the chief minister demanding strict action against those responsible. An NGO has alleged that the birds are being scared away by CIDCO-NMSEZ which wants to turn the area into another concrete jungle.
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According to wildlife lovers and experts, the Panje wetlands, which is spread across 300 hectares, is an important area, as an estimated 1.5 lakh migratory and local birds are spotted here every year. Locals who have been visiting the area for birding have been alleging that some anti-social elements with vested interests had even blocked tidal water flow to the wetlands in the past so that birds don’t come to the area.
Birds scared by the noise seen flying away
‘For their concrete jungle’
In its letter to CM Uddhav Thackeray, the NGO NatConnect has alleged that the idea is to convert the area into a concrete jungle as part of CIDCO-NMSEZ’s grandiose development plan. “We got a video recently, where a few men are seen setting off firecrackers and birds flying helter-skelter. A bird watcher captured the incident and the clip was sent to the CM. We requested the chief minister to ensure strict punishment to the criminals and their masters for conspiring to destroy the wetlands,” said NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar. Environmentalists have also demanded scrapping of the CIDCO deal with NMSEZ to rescue the ecologically important wetlands.
‘Rules being ignored’
Another environmentalist Nandakumar Pawar from NGO Shri Ekveera Aai Pratishthan alleged that the local administration is turning a blind eye to the violations in Uran, Navi Mumbai and adjacent areas. “NMSEZ does not care for any rule or law and threw MCZMA/environment director Narendra Toke’s order to the winds. NMSEZ also continues to block free flow of tidal water to the wetlands and despite the government and NGT orders, the choke points have not been cleared nor illegal security cabins removed,” Pawar alleged.
Wildlife filmmaker Aishwarya Shridhar, who has won several national and international awards, was also stopped several times from taking pictures of the birds, after which she has complained to the CM. “With the beginning of the early winter, thousands of birds, including those on the IUCN Red List such as the Black and Bar tailed Godwit, have started landing at Panje. They were horribly scared away by these hooligans,” said Aishwarya.
Local environmentalists also claim that despite Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray ordering a halt to construction at the wetlands, NMSEZ has put up security cabins and the guards have been preventing local fishing communities and bird watchers from entering the place. It is also said that guards in the past even prevented the BNHS team which went to study the area as part of an assignment from CIDCO. Officials from CIDCO were unavailable for comment.
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