Activists Urge CMO to Clear Conservation Reserve Status for Nerul's DPS Lake

Environmentalists have urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to expedite the process of granting conservation reserve status to the 12-hectare DPS Lake in Nerul, warning that the wetland is deteriorating rapidly and turning unsuitable for flamingos.

The appeal followed a site inspection on Thursday, where environmentalists found large portions of the water body covered in algae. NatConnect Foundation stated that the continued obstruction of intertidal water flow by CIDCO has directly contributed to the degradation of the wetland ecosystem.

Although the State Wildlife Board has already approved the proposal to declare DPS Lake a conservation reserve, the final government resolution remains pending clearance from the Chief Minister's Office. Information obtained by NatConnect under the Right to Information Act revealed that the Forest Department submitted its detailed proposal to the CMO in October last year.

NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar and Palm Beach Greens convenor Shrikant Patki noted that urgent intervention is required to restore the free flow of intertidal water and safeguard the habitat for migratory birds. Environmentalists have called for the lake to be made flamingo-ready ahead of World Migratory Bird Day in October.

DPS Lake, alongside the NRI and T S Chanakya wetlands, forms part of the Ramsar-designated Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary landscape, serving as crucial high-tide roosting sites. The lake also aids flood mitigation by absorbing excess water from surrounding areas, including NRI Seawoods and the vicinity of DPS School.

Environmental groups highlighted that preserving the habitat is critical for aviation safety at the Navi Mumbai International Airport. The Bombay Natural History Society has warned of potential bird-strike risks if flamingos and other birds are displaced from traditional wetland habitats toward areas closer to the airport.