The wildlife and nature lovers have demanded wetland status for Lokhandwala Lake

On February 2, World Wetland Day was observed globally, highlighting the urgent need to protect wetlands

Environmentalists and residents of western suburbs, including members of the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association (LOCA), have been demanding that Lokhandwala Lake be officially recognised as a wetland to secure its protection

During a recent visit, mid-day observed numerous migratory birds at Lokhandwala Lake but also noted a growing threat—the rapid spread of the invasive Ipomoea species, covering large portions of the water body

Naturalist, writer, and photographer Sunjay Monga emphasised Lokhandwala Lake’s ecological significance, calling it the last of its kind in suburban Mumbai

Monga noted that around 150 bird species have been recorded at the lake, nearly half of them migratory, including several regional rarities