Panje wetland dry, greens raise alarm

ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS | 289-hectare Panje wetland, a critical habitat for migratory birds and local fishers, has dried up due to blocked tidal water flow, violating orders issued by state

Even as the migratory bird season has begun, the 289-hectare Panje wetland, equivalent to the size of 30 Azad Maidans, has gone dry with the blocking of intertidal water flow, against the state environment department's orders, green groups said.

NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar pointed out that as per Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) studies, Panje attracts at least 50 species of birds, including 30 migratory ones. The wetland, which is also a source of fishing for the local community, is now more or less dead with the blocking of intertidal water flow.

As the chief minister and other ministers are busy with the assembly elections, NatConnect Foundation and Sagar Shakti have written to the environment director to look into the issue and restore water flow to the wetland.