The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) is planning to replace white LED lights with soft yellow ones to protect flamingos in Navi Mumbai. This decision was made after numerous complaints that the bright lights were confusing the birds.
Several flamingos have been wounded while some even died by flying into objects near the brightly lit areas. Authorities confirmed that the bright lights were disorienting the birds. The flamingo flocks appeared confused and blinded by the intensity of the light.
Earlier, CIDCO had removed a large signboard at Nerul Jetty for the safety of the birds in February. However, the problem persisted because of the lights. The wildlife conservation organisation, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), confirmed that the bright lights were causing the birds to lose their way as they flew over the wetlands, which serve as a resting spot for them.
CIDCO now plans to install 96 new poles and replace the current LED lights with dim yellow lights. This project is expected to cost INR 28.97 lakh. According to an engineer’s report submitted to CIDCO, the new lights and poles will be repositioned to avoid disturbing the birds. Activists raised their concerns several times before CIDCO took action.
Between January and April, 17 flamingos died as a result of being blinded by the lights. Some of these birds collided with a 20-foot signboard near the water transport terminal. After seven flamingos died in April, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) stepped in to investigate.
Share
Tweet
