Sumesh Lekhi of Friends of the Environment shares the extensive work done by this Lokhandwala-based group to improve the area's green cover
Over the years, we have observed a number of articles being written on various environmental issues but very little work is being done for the same. There are way too many environmental issues that need attention especially in a city like Mumbai, which craves green spaces.
Dr. Chandrakant Jain, Ashish Mehta and I had a joint meeting with the Additional Municipal Commissioner Sanjay Deshmukh and Chief Conservator of Forests Vasudevan to discuss the problems surrounding the Lokhandwala area and find possible solutions for it. One of the many issues is the cleaning of the Lokhandwala lake; over the years it has been laden with debris due to dumping and idol immersions.
The Forest Department gave an NOC and Deshmukh was extremely helpful in initiating the work along with MHADA. In May, desilting of the lake was initiated by the K/West ward, and Singhade (from the ward) along with the Forest Department supervised this work. Regular inputs were given by naturalist Sunjoy Monga.
More than 40 species of birds were spotted at the lake. These include Grey Herons, Purple Herons, Egrets, Spot-billed and Whistling Ducks, Purple Swamp-hens, Waterhens and a juvenile Painted Stork. Apart from these, it is a good habitat for fish like Snakeheads and Catfish amongst others. Even the invasive species Tilapia is found here. The de-silting work which involved scraping 1-2 feet of silt from most areas and 2-4 feet depth of a small portion will help improve the health of the lake and enhance bio-diversity in this area. Over the next year, the optimum depth of the lake will be ascertained as a habitat for both wading and diving birds.
Tree species that are indigenous to the geography of the place will attract more birds and wildlife to the area. With inputs from Monga and in co-ordination with K/West, we have planted about 50 trees like Banyan, Peepal, Indian Figs and others along the lake’s periphery so that the birds can feed on their seeds and also nest. Jagdish Bhoir, Horticulture Department, K/West has been extremely forthcoming. In the next few days about 70 more trees including Barringtonia will be planted.
Another issue is plastic from the garbage dump that clog the adjoining mangroves. Though the ward has been supportive and helped erect plastic fencing around the dump, we are now requesting them to construct tall chain link fencing as a permanent solution.
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