Responding to complaints regarding the deteriorating condition of the 30-acre DPS Flamingo Lake, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed the Forest Department to take immediate action. The lake, once a vital habitat for hundreds of flamingos, has become contaminated with stagnant water due to the blocking of water flow, leading to the accumulation of moss and muck.

This issue was raised by NatConnect Foundation, which alerted the CM and senior officials about the neglect. A high-level committee led by Forest Secretary Venugopal Reddy had previously recommended designating the DPS Lake as a conservation reserve and called for CIDCO to ensure uninterrupted water flow to the wetland.

Despite these recommendations, the lake’s condition has worsened over the past few months, causing concern among environmentalists and bird watchers. "We appreciate the swift action taken by CM Fadnavis and the instructions given to Forest Secretary Reddy for proper action," said NatConnect Director B N Kumar. He emphasized the importance of preserving migratory bird habitats, particularly as the DPS Lake, along with NRI, TS Chanakya, and Panje wetlands, are crucial for maintaining safe migratory paths for flamingos, especially in light of the Navi Mumbai International Airport's proximity.

Kumar also referred to a study by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), which highlights the risk of bird strikes on aircraft if these wetlands are not preserved. He noted that while flamingos have begun to return to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS), the DPS Lake, which is a vital resting spot for the birds, is not currently in a suitable condition.

Environmentalists, including Sandeep Sareen of the Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society and Jyoti Nadkarni of the Kharghar Wetlands and Hills Forum, have called for urgent measures such as removing debris and earth from the lake's inlets, deepening the channels, and ensuring better security and community awareness to prevent further damage.

They have also demanded an inquiry into the persistent obstruction of the water flow to the lake, which they believe is contributing to the deterioration of this critical flamingo habitat.