Birding enthusiasts are elated after sighting over 200 greater flamingos for the past one week so close to the 'concrete jungle' of Malad in the past one week.
If you have missed the chance to watch flamingos at the usual spots in the city this season, then you should head to Malad Creek near Mindspace to catch a glimpse of these annual 'flying visitors'. One can see hundreds of flamingos foraging for food in the Malad creek. Birding enthusiasts are elated after sighting over 200 greater flamingos for the past one week so close to the 'concrete jungle' of Malad in the past one week.
"On August 4, I came home early from work and from my house I happened to spot a huge white patch in the Malad Creek near Mindspace. I got my binoculars and was excited to see a group of Greater Flamingos," said businessman-cum-wildlife enthusiast Vikas Mahajan. The avid birdwatcher has been observing them daily. On August 9, he even photographed them from the small bridge near the BMC garden overlooking the creek.
Mahajan said that this place has several corporate offices and BPO's but most people avoid coming towards the polluted creek. "We should put pressure on the authorities to safeguard this place from pollution and encourage more people to visit the creek and make them understand the importance of creeks," he said. He added that the authorities should keep a watch and ensure there is no poaching.
Saurabh Sawant, an avid birder said that flamingos can be sighted all along the coast of the city, especially in the creeks where they feed. "They are usually on the move based on the availability of food and water levels," he said.
Naturalist Dr Parvish Pandya said that since creeks are highly polluted and have lots of nutrients, there are algae and other crustaceans in abundance there, which attract flamingos. "People think that everything is fine with the creek but the flamingos come for feeding. The chemicals and other pollutants will surely have an effect as it will enter them through the food they eat," Dr Pandya said.
FANCY FLIGHTS
- The name flamingo comes from Latin word for flame or fire.
- They are referred as Rohit or Raktak in Marathi, Agni Pankh in Hindi.
- The Greater Flamingo and Lesser Flamingo are spotted in Mumbai and other parts of the country.
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