The Maharashtra government has declared the area along Thane Creek as Flamingo Sanctuary. The area spreads around 1,690 hectares, which includes 896 hectares of mangroves and 794 hectares of adjacent water body. The Sanctuary named as the “Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary” will be Maharashtra’s second Marine sanctuary, after Malvan. The Sanctuary will be located on the western bank of the Thane Creek, between the Airoli and Vashi bridges that connect Mumbai with Navi Mumbai.

What is Flamingo Festival?

• The “Flamingo Festival” is celebrated every year in Andhra Pradesh near the Pulicat lake bird sanctuary in Nellore district.
• The festival bring together the people and various departments in the task of preserving the Pulicat Lake and surroundings.
• Every year approximately 15,000 Greater Flamingos are reported to visit the lake along with pelicans, kingfishers, herons, painted storks, spoonbills and ducks.

Pulicat Lake

• Pulicat Lake is the second largest brackish – water lake or lagoon in India, after Chilika Lake.
• The lake encompasses the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary.
• The barrier island of Sriharikota separates the lake from the Bay of Bengal. The island is home to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.