NGO Says Non-Scientific Cutting of Trees at Lokhandwala Lake Has Damaged Its Natural Habitat

A Mumbai-based NGO named Friends of the Environment has alleged that a cleanup drive around the Lokhandwala Lake has caused damage to the lake’s natural habitat. The cleanup was conducted by local NGO ShivTej Foundation on May 29, a day after a ground visit by Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar as well as members of the NGO Friends of the Environment.  

Founder of Friends of the Environment, Sumesh Lekhi wrote to ShivTej Foundation saying, “We are very sad to see the damage that you have done. The forest department’s work of 10 years has been destroyed in one morning. We are very upset and disappointed.”

“The spot towards the left of the lake is a bird habitat, but in the name of cleanliness it has been destroyed. Hopefully it will recover. But next time, do not remove the aquatic plants that grow on the bottom of the lake, because this is what birds feed on. Your intentions maybe good, but it is important to do everything scientifically so that nature thrives,” Lekhi went on to say.

After the group discovered that trees were unscientifically being cleared around the lake, Friends of the Environment wrote to members of the Wetland Committee, the Environment Department, as well as the Mumbai Suburban Collector requesting them to grant the lake wetland status by bringing it under the wetland inventory. 

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“The unique Lokhandwala Lake falls under the forest department’s jurisdiction. Its addition to the wetland inventory will be another important step towards protecting it,” Lekhi’s letter further said. It also talks about the threats faced by the lake including the dumping of debris, fishing, poaching of aquatic birds and turtles, as well as waste from religious rituals. 

On June 3, additional trees were cut near the lake by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to conduct a plantation drive. However, by noon, a representative from the Mangrove Cell, the District Collector, as well as some civic officials along with officers from the Versova Police Station visited the site for an inspection.  

“Unchecked human interference has led to the destruction of multiple trees and mangroves. The ecological balance of the lake is under threat because of unscientific clean-up and plantation drives. Over the past month, 113 species of birds have lost precious green cover as well as their source of food. Thus, it is important to include the lake in the wetland inventory,” a member of the Friends of the Environment NGO, Vrusha Patel said.

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