The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) said it would continue to push for realignment of the MTHL to save flamingos and other birds that visit Sewri mudflats. Our position is status quo. We will continue to pursue the issue of realignment, said Atul Sathe,official spokesperson,BNHS. The BNHS suggests the bridge be shifted 700 m south of its current position as it cuts right through the Sewri mudflats,where thousands of flamingos and other migratory birds arrive every year. Around 150 species of birds have been recorded in the area,along with 10 species of mangroves and 13 associated species of mangroves on the fringe of the mudflats. The MMRDA,however,maintained that realignment would be impossible. There is going to be some disturbance to the flamingos,but MMRDA will do whatever it takes to mitigate the impact. We are going to construct a viaduct here,which will cost us about Rs 300 crore extra,just to ensure that the disturbance to flamingo habitat is limited only to the construction period, Asthana said.
