Maharashtra activists slam panel for denying wetland tag to Thane and Navi Mumbai’s water bodies

Thane: Environmental groups of the city have slammed a district wetland committee after its latest report concluded that eight water bodies in Thane and Navi Mumbai, including prominent flamingo habitats, failed to meet the criteria for wetland protection under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.The Thane district wetland committee stated that none met the criteria for wetland classification, citing reasons such as artificial origin, past land use and existing development planning designations. Environmentalists alleged the panel ignored state forest department reports that identify these sites as sensitive satellite ecosystems.