With migratory birds, which descend in and around Mumbai during winters gradually beginning to make their presence felt, birdwatchers and organizations working for protection of urban wildlife have asked Forest department as well as Maharashtra State Mangrove Cell to jointly put an action plan, which will ensure better protection of several species including flamingos, whose arrival in the city is being eagerly awaited.

According to Pawan Sharma, Honorary Wildlife Warden of Thane and President of Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) between June 2016 and July 2017 they had rescued seven flamingos of which all were victims of wounds caused by pellet guns and only one of them survived. “Every winter there is large scale poaching and hunting of the migratory birds for meat as well as just for the fun of shooting them and forest department is yet to take this issue seriously. Flamingos and more migratory birds will begin coming down in bigger flocks soon and this was the ideal time to put in place an action plan,” he said adding that they have already written to both the Mangrove Cell as well as Forest department to be vigilant.

In fact, Sharma pointed out that most of the hunting of these migratory birds were done in and around Vasai, Virar, Mahul and even at Thane Flamingo Sanctuary, which is a protected area and ideally the Mangrove Cell should begin intensive and regular patrolling along the creek, which will prove a major deterrent. “We have suggested that Mangrove Cell call a meeting of various birding groups, which regularly visits wetlands and other areas for bird watching and ask them to keep a watch but also promise them that their identities will be protected and also announce some incentives for those helping nab those involved in killing birds with proof,” he said adding that another suggestion was to also set up CCTV’s at strategic locations to monitor such illegal activity.

A Thane-based birder said that it was a well- known fact that rampant hunting of migratory birds especially flamingos is carried out and despite knowing well the locations where poaching occurs Forest department doesn't take any action. “On several occasions, we have told officials to keep a watch on a certain stretch of Thane creek where locals gather to hunt migratory birds but nothing was done. The birding community will always like to work with forest department in helping prevent such incidents of poaching but even the department should respond and be interested in nabbing the culprits,” he said.

A senior official from Mangrove Cell said that they were carrying out patrolling but would like to work closely with birding community to crack a whip on hunting if any. “We will request birding community as well as fishermen living along the creeks to help us nab such offenders by alerting the forest department on the helping apart from intensifying patrolling,” said an official.

As per birders Flamingos arrive between late October-early November and can be spotted at Sewri, Thane, and Navi Mumbai. However this year their arrival has been delayed so far.