Thane, Sep 11 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has penalised state-run planning authority CIDCO Rs 10,000 for delaying a study report on flamingo flight patterns and their potential impact on operations at the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA).
The NGT Western Zonal Bench, comprising Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh and expert member Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, in its order of Thursday, granted CIDCO a two-week extension to submit the assessment, subject to depositing the fine into the NGT Bar Association account.
The case stems from the tribunal taking 'suo motu' cognisance in April 2024 of media reports detailing the deaths of flamingos at Nerul's 12-hectare DPS Lake following complaints by environmental group NatConnect Foundation.
In April 2026, the bench directed CIDCO to commission a study through a specialized institution, such as the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), to examine migratory bird movements and aviation safety risks.
The City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) cited the lake's proximity to NMIA and potential bird-strike hazards while seeking the extension.
However, NatConnect Foundation noted that the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) had already clarified to airport authorities that flamingo flight paths do not conflict with aviation, as flamingos fly below 50 metres whereas aircraft operate at significantly higher altitudes.
Environmental groups have alleged CIDCO is delaying the report to undermine the DPS wetland for commercial real estate development.
A state-appointed high-level committee and the State Wildlife Board have already recommended conservation reserve status for the site, which currently awaits final approval from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
