When environmentalists campaign for development that supports the ecology rather than destroys it, this is for some very good reasons – the flamingoes are only one of those reasons. Mumbai’s mangroves, swamps and creeks are vital for many reasons, not just to preserve biodiversity but to prevent flooding, erosion and much else besides. The flamingoes aren't just beautiful, they are a reminder of why we need to protect natural ecosystems.
These big beautiful pink birds are yearly visitors to parts of the Mumbai megalopolis.
It was a particularly stunning sight to behold when two years ago, the strict COVID lockdown had some unintended positive consequences.
The stunning sight of so many birds of such a noticeable colour makes for some truly stunning visuals. Locals and visitors share visuals like this on social media.
Bird watchers and animal lovers look out for these birds each year. They arrive in numbers large enough to be observable from an airplane – 15,000 to 20,000 a year, according to some reports.
The arrival of the flamingoes is good news because these are scavenger birds that actually help clean up the environment.
These birds come in from the Sambar Lake in Rajasthan and the Kutch region of Gujarat and elsewhere each year. They arrive in the vicinity of Mumbai and can be seen at the creek and wetlands of Navi Mumbai, the biodiversity centre close to Airoli and the Sewri mudflats.
A lot of nature lovers and bird watchers make it a point to visit these areas each year to see these migratory birds. People on social media also share their personal pictures of the flamingoes.
Conservationist Bittu Sehgal makes the important point that preserving the biodiversity and ecosystems in and around Mumbai is important for humans, not just for the animals that depend upon it.
Although roads cutting through the wilderness, reclaimed land, and big flyovers are very convenient and may look like progress, they may not necessarily be good for us. An exclusive residential complex with its own golf course may appear aesthetic; it may even seem like a sign of prosperity. However, it is something that will serve a tiny privileged minority while excluding a vast majority who gain nothing from such ‘development’. Builders, business people and their cronies in government may try telling us that such ‘development’ is a sign of prosperity and progress. But if the flamingoes stop visiting Mumbai because there is simply nowhere for them to come to, wouldn’t we all be poorer for it?
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
