Navi Mumbai: A 14-hectare intertidal wetland near T.S. Chanakya, once a vital feeding ground for migratory flamingos, is facing rapid ecological decline due to blocked tidal channels and land encroachments. Environmentalists warn that the degradation is threatening the fragile coastal ecosystem that supports several species of birds and marine life.

According to activists, wooden barricades have been installed across narrow tidal inlets that normally allow water from Thane Creek to flow in and out of the wetland. These channels play a crucial role in maintaining the natural tidal flushing process that keeps the water fresh and supports aquatic biodiversity.

With the tidal flow obstructed, the waterbody has become stagnant and is now covered with a thick layer of algae — a clear sign of deteriorating environmental health. Conservationists say such conditions make the wetland unsuitable for flamingos that once frequented the area for feeding.

The environmental group NatConnect Foundation has raised the issue with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, seeking urgent intervention to restore the damaged wetland.

NatConnect director B. N. Kumar said, “The site currently presents a disturbing picture due to algae growth, encroachments, and blocked water channels. In its current state, the wetland can no longer adequately support flamingos.”

The ecological significance of the T.S. Chanakya wetland has already been officially recognised. It is listed in the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment, a satellite-mapped database prepared by the Union Environment Ministry. The site is also included in records maintained by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, which monitors coastal ecosystems across India.

Despite this recognition, activists allege that the lack of administrative action has allowed the habitat to deteriorate. The wetland falls under the jurisdiction of CIDCO, which has reportedly declined a proposal from the state Mangrove Cell to take over the site for protection under wildlife laws.

Environmental groups are now urging the Centre to intervene quickly to restore tidal flows, remove encroachments, and protect the wetland before the ecological damage becomes irreversible.