Defunct jetty causing flamingo deaths

On Thursday, 12 flamingos were injured after wading into marshier side of the wetland; five succumbed on the same day and two more died the next day while undergoing treatment

- RAINA ASSAINAR

The defunct Nerul jetty constructed by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) adjacent to the wetlands frequented by flamingos is emerging to be one of the reasons for unexplained deaths and injuries to the birds, claim the environmentalists.

Of the three inlets that supply tidal water to the lake from the creek, activists have identified that the inlet towards the jetty side is buried completely under the construction debris. The inlet facing the jetty is one of the bigger feeders of inter tidal water into the wetland. “In a week 10 flamingos

died in mysterious circumstances. Two died after getting hurt while attempting to cross the Palm Beach road. The lake frequented by the birds doesn’t have adequate water as the inlets through which water flows in from the creekside are not functioning,” said resident activist Rekha Sankhala.