A day with the Flamingos!

28-03-23

The Swayam Siddha members had the most wonderful experience of their lives yesterday. Chasing the pretty pink flamingos, were the members in the ferry that took them around in the Thane creek that houses the Greater & Lesser Flamingos during their migratory season.

The members could see scores and scores of flamingos dipping their beaks in the water or spreading their wings as they take off together as a flock: a sight to behold for one and all.

The idea of a picnic by Swayam Siddha members close to nature and with Navi Mumbai's own flamingos was the brainchild of Ms. Shruti Agarwal, the reputed mangrove warrior. Shruti ji co-ordinated with Mr. Adarsh Reddy, Divisional Forest Officer, Mumbai Mangrove Conservation Unit and booked a ferry exclusively for our NGO members.

After back and forth co-ordination between the sanctuary and Swayam Siddha for a date and time that was most suitable for all parties, 27th March, 2:30 pm was chosen as the d-date.

The flamingo sanctuary is situated on the offshoot of the busy Airoli-Mulund main road, but in a very quiet neighbourhood. The gates to the sanctuary are well guarded by the forest officers. One enters the gates, and after walking about a 100mtrs, one can find the Wetland Conservation center. This centre is a educational centre with a highly engaging learning experience with multiple audio-visual aids. There is also a seated seminar hall, which plays an educational movie about the Mumbai wetlands in both Marathi & English versions.

Shruti ji had co-ordinated with the members of Vanashakti (https://www.vanashakti.org) as well. Two members from Vanashakti joined us and educated our members about different birds, mangroves of the wetlands & the need for wetland conservation.

After enriching our knowledge about the wetlands, the group set out in the ferry to actually see the beautiful wetlands and the most cherished flamingos. Oh! What a ride it was! As the group rode through the waters, one could see hundreds of flamingos in all other directions. A few, floating gracefully, a many more, taking flight as the high tide slowly crept in.

After about an hour on the ferry, as the gentle and cool breeze swept us and added to the fun, we came ashore. All the members were carefully assisted in and out of the ferry. Due to staff's able assistance, all our members felt safe and comfortable.

We had a long and lovely photo session amongst the mangroves in their cool shade.

It also needs to be specially mentioned that the t-shirts donated by TruCSR (https://www.trucsr.in) served us as the uniform and made us look like one family.

The picnic drew to a close but the memories are etched forever. For many, it was the first boat ride in their life. It was definitely the first time for all of us together as the Swayam Siddha Family. We cannot express our gratitude enough to the Wetland champions, Mr. Sunil Agarwal & Mrs. Shruti Agarwal for arranging this beautiful excursion and accompanying us and doubling our joy with their presence.

Our heartful gratitude to Mr. Adarsh Reddy ji for having made this possible and to all the forest officers and staff who assisted our team of specially abled members and having made them feel safe and comfortable.

We also owe gratitude to Vanashakti, the leading NGO in wetland conservation whose members educated us about wetlands & flamingos.

Swayam Siddha is very grateful that we get to meet and work with such wonderful people who not only do excellent work in their field of work, but also encourage and support organisation like ours.