Flamingoes landing at Nandur Madhyameshwar
Spread over nearly 10,000 hectares, including a protected core area of 1,765 hectares, Nandur Madhmeshwar has evolved into one of the state’s most important wetland ecosystems over the past century. Officials said water levels in the weir have been dropping due to releases into canals for drinking water supply and irrigation rotations, raising concerns over the impact on resident and migratory birds. The habitat developed due to silt deposits carried by Godavari after the British-era construction of the Godavari Left Bank and Right Bank canal systems.
Maintaining a certain water level will be discussed and decided by the committee soon,” a WRD official said. “The release of water strictly is linked to the decisions taken by the canal advisory committee headed by the district guardian minister. There are chances and occasions when the water levels drop significantly in the weir.
The issue has gained urgency after the forest department urged the water resources department (WRD) to maintain adequate water levels in the century-old pick-up weir to protect the habitat of more than 250 bird species. With Nashik recording a 30% rainfall deficit this monsoon, 13 of its 15 talukas, including Niphad where the wetland is located, have been declared drought-hit. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nashik | Silver Rate in Nashik | Bank Holidays in Nashik | Public Holidays in Nashik | Petrol Price in Nashik | Diesel Price in Nashik | CNG Price in Nashik | LPG Price in Nashik Stay updated with the latest Nashik news.
Nashik : Water levels at the ecologically sensitive Nandur Madhmeshwar wetland, Maharashtra ’s first Ramsar site, will come up for discussion at the canal advisory committee meeting chaired by district guardian minister Girish Mahajan. The forest department recently wrote to the WRD seeking measures to ensure that water levels remain stable through the bird season. Any effort to replenish the wetland will require releases from reservoirs upstream, either from Gangapur dam complex or Darna dam complex. However, both options are complicated by competing demands. Water in the Gangapur complex is reserved primarily for drinking purposes for Nashik city and nearby villages. The Darna system caters to villages across three districts under a long-standing irrigation arrangement. With drought conditions intensifying and water demand rising, the canal advisory committee’s decision is expected to balance drinking water requirements with the need to protect one of Maharashtra’s most important bird habitats. Download the TOI App.