A new bird park planned at the Bhandup water pumping station has been granted approval by the Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA), setting the stage for a conservation-focused tourist attraction in the heart of Thane Creek’s wetland ecosystem. The initiative, spearheaded by the forest department’s Mangrove Cell, was cleared during a meeting held in mid-July.
The proposed park, located within the Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, is expected to feature a 1.5-kilometre mangrove trail, three elevated watchtowers, an interpretation centre, and a parking zone positioned outside the ecological boundary. The site, rich in native and migratory bird species, including the iconic flamingos, is considered a biodiversity hotspot where shallow waters, salt pans, and algae-rich surroundings provide ideal conditions for birdlife. To maintain ecological integrity, concealed bird hides will be constructed to allow observation without disturbing natural behaviour. Visitors will be required to walk to the park and undergo a guided orientation covering local bird species and the functioning of the Bhandup pumping station.
However, environmental concerns have been raised about the project’s impact. Wildlife expert and MCZMA member Dr Anish Andheria emphasised the need for a carrying capacity assessment and a robust crowd management plan to avoid potential disruption of bird habitats. He cautioned that unregulated tourism could endanger the delicate wetland ecosystem.
While the bird park initiative seeks to promote awareness and protection of urban biodiversity, simultaneous approvals granted by the MCZMA for large-scale infrastructure projects have raised alarm among conservationists. Notably, the authority has sanctioned the 400kV Padgaon-Nagothane transmission line, intended to support JSW Dolvi Steel Plant in Raigad, and the 132kV Dahanu-Boisar line for Palghar MIDC.
These projects, to be executed by the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (MSETCL), are expected to affect 112 mangrove trees and over 18 hectares of protected mangrove land. Environmental groups have demanded strict safeguards, including compensatory afforestation, to ensure that vital coastal habitats are not irreparably damaged. Even as Mumbai’s development footprint expands, the decisions reflect the delicate balance the state must maintain between progress and environmental preservation. As the bird park takes shape, all eyes will be on how authorities ensure that conservation remains central to urban planning.