NAVI MUMBAI, May 10 -- A silent march between the NRI and DPS Flamingo wetlands in Nerul on World Migratory Bird Day on Saturday turned into a powerful show of concern over Navi Mumbai's deepening wetland crisis, just days after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) flagged serious ecological damage at DPS Flamingo Lake. Holding "#SaveFlamingoLakes" banners and placards demanding protection for wetlands and migratory birds, environmentalists, residents and activists gathered to spotlight what they described as rapid degradation of one of the region's most critical urban biodiversity zones. The protest came in the wake of an NGT directive to the City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) to restore tidal flow and ensure that future planning aligns with the ecological requirements of migratory birds. A joint inspection committee appointed by the tribunal found that a crucial intertidal channel at DPS Flamingo Lake remained blocked, resulting in toxic algal accumulation and severe deterioration of flamingo habitat. Recent laboratory findings cited by activists painted an alarming picture. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels were found to be between 14.8 mg/L and 23.6 mg/L against the safe limit of 3-5 mg/L, while Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) levels ranged from 47.5 mg/L to 73.5 mg/L, indicating significant contamination in the wetland ecosystem. "Flamingos are now flying over the wetland without landing because the water condition has deteriorated drastically and the food chain has collapsed," said B N Kumar, director of NatConnect Foundation. In April, the mangrove cell removed more than 2.5 tonnes of algal sludge from DPS Flamingo Lake. However, environmentalists argued that the clean-up exercise failed to address the core issue of blocked tidal movement and untreated sewage inflow. Sandeep Sareen of Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society said thick algae accumulation and sewage discharge had made the waterbody increasingly uninhabitable for flamingos. "The mangrove cell could not clear the dense underlying accumulation because free tidal flow itself remains obstructed. It could be a case of contempt of court," Kumar alleged. Cidco, meanwhile, denied allegations that it had obstructed natural water flow at DPS Flamingo Lake. The agency told the NGT that it had no role in the old pipe outlet cited in complaints and maintained that water continued to flow through other outlets. It further stated that large portions of the land fall outside CRZ restrictions....