In a landmark decision, Maharashtra’s wildlife board has declared the DPS Flamingo Lake in Navi Mumbai a conservation reserve, the first Navi Mumbai wetland linked to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS) to get such protection. Spread across 30 acres in Seawoods, the lake serves as a vital feeding and resting spot for flamingos during high tide.

The declaration of DPS Flamingo Lake as a conservation reserve marks a major milestone in Navi Mumbai’s ecological efforts. The move, approved during a Maharashtra State Wildlife Board meeting, comes after persistent advocacy from Forest Minister Ganesh Naik and sustained activism by local environmental groups. Naik, who has championed the lake’s protection, called it a “victory for biodiversity.”

The decision follows years of campaigning by organisations like NatConnect Foundation and the Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society (NMEPS), who staged protests and human chains after 17 flamingos died in 2023 due to blocked tidal inlets. Since then, authorities have reopened water channels and cleared 60% of the algae-choked lake, prompting the return of large numbers of flamingos.

Experts from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) have consistently stressed the importance of protecting satellite wetlands like DPS Lake, which serve as critical stopovers for migratory birds. The move is seen as a crucial step toward preserving the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary ecosystem and preventing flamingos from straying dangerously close to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, where bird strikes remain a concern.