Mrudul Godbole
20-02-2011, 10:36 AM
Flamingo playground in Uran is now a dustbowl
A 60-acre plot which was home to flamingos and 130 species of other birds was levelled over past two years, before the State woke up and cancelled its acquisition on Friday
Ashutosh Patil
Posted On Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 03:44:38 AM
Till about a year-and-a-half ago, birdwatchers, wildlife photographers and those looking to escape the city’s grime and bustle would drive down to this patch of land in Phunde village, few km away from Uran.
The 60-acre plot, once a lush green visual delight with flamingos and around 130 species of birds making it their home, is reduced to a rubble after the State approved its take-over under Navi Mumbai Special Economic Zone (NMSEZ) in 2005.
Destruction of this wetland started in all earnest around two years ago. Every day, truckloads of sand and cement and stones would be dumped, completely killing every blade of grass.
The birds stopped coming, there is not a trace of wildlife there, and complaints from environment groups such as World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-I) were never looked into.
The 60-acre wetland that was home to flamingos and other birds was pounded with sand and stones for more than two years, and now, it is yet another ugly plot
Suddenly on Friday, Government stalled the acquisition of the plot, asking Revenue Department to strike off acquisition entries. Many nature lovers are calling this a “cruel joke”, pointing to the fact that the wetland has ceased to exist.
This plot was acquired under the ambitious SEZ project promoted by India’s top industrialists. However, State Revenue Department was unable to acquire nearly 16,900 acres of land spread across 45 villages of Pen, Panvel and Uran in the stipulated time due to protests from villagers, and hence, the project has been stalled.
The State gained nothing, villagers are still not sure about the status of their land, and in that fight, Mumbai lost a beautiful spot in its neighbourhood.
WWF-India authorities said they knocked many doors to save the wetland, but nobody, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh including, took note of their protests.
Dr Goldin Quadros, interim state director, WWF Maharashtra said, “We approached offices of State and Centre, but nothing happened.
We wrote to Ramesh, even tried meeting him. Every day, we and many nature lovers saw the destruction of what was one the most beautiful birdwatching spots around Mumbai.”
The good news is, State has promised to revive the spot and recreate the wetland. Apart from doing everything it can, the Government wants corporate help for the project.
State Environment Secretary Valsa Nair Singh said, “We will provide the necessary support to restore the habitat. It will be wonderful to have corporate support in this project. We will welcome business houses wanting to restore the place.”
Dr Quadros said the habitat can certainly be restored through scientific measures. To begin with, the place will host annual Mumbai Bird Race on February 27.
Would you believe this is the same place that is pictured top right?
Nature lovers and residents in the area are not sure of its success. A resident said, “Illegal quarrying has taken a heavy toll of Navi Mumbai, but nobody says a word because powerful politicians are involved.
There is no wildlife left in this place. Around two years of land-filling is not easy to repair.”
Link - http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/2/20110220201102200344389664339e3c8/Flamingo-playground-in-Uran-is-now-a-dustbowl.html
A 60-acre plot which was home to flamingos and 130 species of other birds was levelled over past two years, before the State woke up and cancelled its acquisition on Friday
Ashutosh Patil
Posted On Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 03:44:38 AM
Till about a year-and-a-half ago, birdwatchers, wildlife photographers and those looking to escape the city’s grime and bustle would drive down to this patch of land in Phunde village, few km away from Uran.
The 60-acre plot, once a lush green visual delight with flamingos and around 130 species of birds making it their home, is reduced to a rubble after the State approved its take-over under Navi Mumbai Special Economic Zone (NMSEZ) in 2005.
Destruction of this wetland started in all earnest around two years ago. Every day, truckloads of sand and cement and stones would be dumped, completely killing every blade of grass.
The birds stopped coming, there is not a trace of wildlife there, and complaints from environment groups such as World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-I) were never looked into.
The 60-acre wetland that was home to flamingos and other birds was pounded with sand and stones for more than two years, and now, it is yet another ugly plot
Suddenly on Friday, Government stalled the acquisition of the plot, asking Revenue Department to strike off acquisition entries. Many nature lovers are calling this a “cruel joke”, pointing to the fact that the wetland has ceased to exist.
This plot was acquired under the ambitious SEZ project promoted by India’s top industrialists. However, State Revenue Department was unable to acquire nearly 16,900 acres of land spread across 45 villages of Pen, Panvel and Uran in the stipulated time due to protests from villagers, and hence, the project has been stalled.
The State gained nothing, villagers are still not sure about the status of their land, and in that fight, Mumbai lost a beautiful spot in its neighbourhood.
WWF-India authorities said they knocked many doors to save the wetland, but nobody, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh including, took note of their protests.
Dr Goldin Quadros, interim state director, WWF Maharashtra said, “We approached offices of State and Centre, but nothing happened.
We wrote to Ramesh, even tried meeting him. Every day, we and many nature lovers saw the destruction of what was one the most beautiful birdwatching spots around Mumbai.”
The good news is, State has promised to revive the spot and recreate the wetland. Apart from doing everything it can, the Government wants corporate help for the project.
State Environment Secretary Valsa Nair Singh said, “We will provide the necessary support to restore the habitat. It will be wonderful to have corporate support in this project. We will welcome business houses wanting to restore the place.”
Dr Quadros said the habitat can certainly be restored through scientific measures. To begin with, the place will host annual Mumbai Bird Race on February 27.
Would you believe this is the same place that is pictured top right?
Nature lovers and residents in the area are not sure of its success. A resident said, “Illegal quarrying has taken a heavy toll of Navi Mumbai, but nobody says a word because powerful politicians are involved.
There is no wildlife left in this place. Around two years of land-filling is not easy to repair.”
Link - http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/2/20110220201102200344389664339e3c8/Flamingo-playground-in-Uran-is-now-a-dustbowl.html