Mumbai: Centre for marine mammals 'stranded' for land

With churning of the sea expected to begin soon, due to the onset of Southwest monsoon winds, which each year results in several marine mammals mostly turtles being washed ashore, Mumbai's first rescue and medical aid centre for stranded and injured marine animals at Versova seems to be stranded amidst red-tapeism.

Maharashtra State Mangrove Cell in August 2017 had proposed to build a 1200 square meter centre and had finalised an area near the Versova beach, however till date, not even a single brick has been laid as the Mangrove cell awaits the nod from State allotting it the demarcated land.

Meanwhile, NGO's and wildlife groups who respond to the calls of marine mammals especially live turtles being found washed ashore along Mumbai have been emphasising on the need for such a centre that should also act as a transit centre for injured marine birds. Currently, there is just one such transit centre to treat and rehabilitate turtles, which is located at Dahanu.

Honorary Wildlife Warden for Thane, Pawan Sharma who has rescued several turtles from Versova, Juhu and other beaches in Mumbai said that unfortunately, two monsoons have passed by since the time they have been hearing of this centre. "Whenever anyone rescues a turtle that has been washed ashore, it first needs to be stabilised but in absence of any such facility, it has to be transported either to the Dahanu facility at that instant or taken to wildlife vets in Mumbai, which adds more trauma to it. The centre could have acted as the first transit point where initial first aid could be provided before sending it to Dahanu," said Sharma adding that more importantly round the year this centre could also function as the transit centre for several injured flamingos, gulls and other marine birds that are rescued but in absence of any transit centre have to be kept in houses of those willing to foster them.

Sharma added that if there was a problem in getting land allotted at Versova, another suitable place should be found. However some even suggested that in case the centre cannot be built, the same funds to be used by Mangrove Cell should be put in to upgrade the Dahanu transit facility and even buy ambulances, which should be parked in Mumbai to shift the turtles to Dahanu. However, a senior official from Mangrove Cell said that they are hopeful that the land will be allotted soon.

Proposed Centre at Versova

• 1200 sq mt centre will function as a primary rescue and treatment centre for marine mammals found stranded
• It will have four tanks that can accommodate injured turtles and even a dolphin if required
• It will have separate holding tanks especially for turtles and they can even be tested for their swimming abilities before releasing them in the sea in the bigger tanks
• The centre will also feature a fully-equipped operation theatre with important equipment like X-ray machines and other facilities for carrying out treatment of injured marine mammals