Navi Mumbai: TheNational Green Tribunal (NGT) Western Zonal Bench has imposed Rs 10,000 on Maharashtra govt-owned urban planner CIDCO for delaying a study report on flamingo flight patterns and their possible impact on operations at Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). ** The bench, comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, granted CIDCO another two weeks to file the report on Thursday, subject to depositing Rs 10,000 in NGT Bar Association account.
Greens said CIDCO is dilly-dallying to push its commercial interest to destroy the wetland. Studying these overlapping paths is essential to prevent bird–aircraft collisions, ensuring the safety of both aviation operations and bird populations. The importance of conducting a flight-path study is to identify where and when bird movement corridors overlap with aircraft flight routes, particularly around airports. The study has already been done by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) at the NMIA’s request. A Cidco spokesperson refused to comment on the NGT order, saying that the matter is sub judice.
In April 2026, the bench had directed CIDCO, at its request, to commission the study. The case arose after the NGT principal bench took suo motu cognisance in April 2024 of media reports on the deaths of seven flamingos at DPS Lake, following complaints from environmental groups. A state-appointed high-level committee has recommended conservation reserve status for the 12-hectare wetland, and State Wildlife Board has ratified the proposal.
CIDCO cited the lake’s proximity to the airport and possible risks posed by migratory birds to aircraft. The tribunal allowed it to engage a specialised institution such as Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History. The matter was later referred to the Western Zonal Bench. Green groups have accused CIDCO of seeking to undermine the wetland for commercial real estate development at the cost of its biodiversity. BJP MLC Niranjan Davkhare has urged the state environment minister, Pankaja Munde, to protect wetlands in Thane district, including DPS Flamingo Lake which is close to the airport. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Mumbai | Silver Rate in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai | Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Petrol Price in Mumbai | Diesel Price in Mumbai | CNG Price in Mumbai | LPG Price in Mumbai