Here’s Navi Mumbai’s first ‘Birdrace’. It’s not what you are thinking

by February 4, 2021 Environment
Read how a citizens group in Khargar is actively working to save the neighbourhood wetlands.

The Wetlands in India, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai included, are under severe threat. Time to take action is now.

“According to the environment ministry, 35 per cent of wetlands have disappeared since the 1970s and 87 per cent have been lost since the 1700s. Causes of wetland loss are drainage and infilling for agriculture and construction, pollution, overexploitation of resources (like overfishing), invasive species and climate change.” – Hindustan Times

Read more: How a Navi Mumbai citizens group fought for the flamingos

World Wetlands Day

World Wetlands Day, that is observed on 2nd February every year, was celebrated by several groups all over India. We at Kharghar Wetlands & Hills had already started observing this even before the actual day.

On Republic Day, 26th January, we did a cleanup, calling upon citizens and the fishermen to maintain a safe, clean and beautiful wetland and mangroves ecosystem that Kharghar is endowed with.

Cleanup at Khargar 31-Jan-2021 (Pic: Nareshchandra Singh)

Then on 31s January, we did a further cleanup to welcome our feathered friends by removing threats like plastics, left over alcohol bottles, discarded nets, etc.

Mangroves cleanup, 31st Jan 2021 (Pic: Suraj R Das)

On D-day, 2nd February, we actively participated in the National Wetlands Tweefest conducted all over the country by dozens of organizations all together in solidarity.

Wetlands Day Tweetstorm flyer. (Pic: Nareshchandra Singh)


Unstoppable

We are not stopping there, on Sunday, 7th February, we are organizing Navi Mumbai’s first “Birdrace” where teams will be competing against each other to record the varieties of birds in the neighborhood. Those interested may register at this link https://fb.me/e/delBFFSi3 or mail khargharwetlands@gmail.com.

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About Nareshchandra Singh

A global IT consultant by profession, Nareshchandra Singh is co-founder of Kharghar Wetlands and Hills group, a group of nature loving citizens doing their duty towards conservation of environment around them. The group maintains an elaborate record of the biodiversity of Kharghar's wetlands, mangroves and hills - and takes up various activities to protect them from risks arising from institutional and individual activities. We also work towards influencing the policy makers along with other groups to save the wetlands and hills in this country.
Read more by Nareshchandra Singh

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