Dumping of debris near Palm Beach Road to shoo away wetland birds

MUMBAI: The two marshy patches next to Palm Beach Road have been frequented by various wetland birds, including flamingoes. But if the dumping of debris continues unabated, the birds may soon become a thing of the past. Local residents, especially those from NRI Colony in Nerul have complained to various authorities about trucks and dumpers clandestinely dumping concrete rubble behind TS Chanakya Building and DPS School.

“We can see several bird species on the two wet patches along Palm Beach Road. However, it is heartbreaking to see illegal debris increasing by the day at these spots. We fear there will be no water body left if this continues,” said Sandeep Bangia, a local resident.

Bangia said two years ago, the NRI Colony residents had made an appeal for saving these water-bodies. “The chief minister had intervened and asked the local authorities like Navi Mumbai Municipal Cor poration (NMMC), police and Cidco to check illegal dumping,” he said.

Another resident, Vinod Punshi, said they will resort to a public protest, if necessary, in order to save these ecosystems.

An official of NMMC told TOI that most of the dumping takes place after midnight, under the cover of darkness but said they can book the offenders with cooperation of locals and the police.