Kolshet Creek: Trouble in Paradise
Akhil P K Menon
Thane’s Kolshet Creek has always been an attractive site for wintering birds. Around 200 species are found in the Kolshet creek, many of them migrants – both domestic and international. These include taiga flycatchers, black-winged stilt, stints, gulls and warblers.
The site has everything a large bird population could want: a good mangrove cover, surrounding hills and an abundance of prey species like mudskipper. Compared to other parts of the creek, this part has low fishing activity, leaving a thriving fish population as food for the birds.
Akhil P K Menon
Thane’s Kolshet Creek has always been an attractive site for wintering birds. Around 200 species are found in the Kolshet creek, many of them migrants – both domestic and international. These include taiga flycatchers, black-winged stilt, stints, gulls and warblers.
The site has everything a large bird population could want: a good mangrove cover, surrounding hills and an abundance of prey species like mudskipper. Compared to other parts of the creek, this part has low fishing activity, leaving a thriving fish population as food for the birds.
There is a forest and a grassland close by, making it ideal for bird movement.
Recently, the bird population has reduced. This could be linked to the rise in construction activities and debris being disposed off in the grasslands surrounding the creek. This is a story about the migratory birds of Kolshet Creek.
The story starts with the treacherous journey Little Stints takes to arrive at Kolshet Creek from Europe. The creek looked and felt different from what they remembered. "What is that?” asked one of the Little Stints, pointing at something big and yellow. This startled a sandpiper, almost causing it to take flight in shock. After investigation, they found it to be a worn-out slipper. Everybody sighed in relief.
One of the sandpipers chirped, “The visibility in Mumbai was so bad.” A gargeny duck waddled in with a lament of its own: “What has this world come to?
Recently, the bird population has reduced. This could be linked to the rise in construction activities and debris being disposed off in the grasslands surrounding the creek. This is a story about the migratory birds of Kolshet Creek.
The story starts with the treacherous journey Little Stints takes to arrive at Kolshet Creek from Europe. The creek looked and felt different from what they remembered. "What is that?” asked one of the Little Stints, pointing at something big and yellow. This startled a sandpiper, almost causing it to take flight in shock. After investigation, they found it to be a worn-out slipper. Everybody sighed in relief.
One of the sandpipers chirped, “The visibility in Mumbai was so bad.” A gargeny duck waddled in with a lament of its own: “What has this world come to?
I dive in for fish, but most of the time I come out with plastic or junk. This is too much.” The pallas gulls joined the party. “We were master hunters in Europe and all we get are snacks like gathiya that a few humans bring for us. A sad state of affairs.”
Everyone is mourning their beloved creek and longing for its glorious past. To lighten up the mood, the black wing stilt sauntered in with its lanky legs (in fact, it has the largest body-to-leg ratio of any bird) and said “I am really happy with all the pollution. So much more algae for me. What are you all complaining about? I just flew past a hill right now.” Right then, a big shadow fell on this group. It was the wise resident-painted stork with its brilliant pink feathers. Sitting on a mobile tower, it pointed out, “That’s not a hill, but a mound of garbage the humans have produced.” Everyone burst into laughter.
Everyone is mourning their beloved creek and longing for its glorious past. To lighten up the mood, the black wing stilt sauntered in with its lanky legs (in fact, it has the largest body-to-leg ratio of any bird) and said “I am really happy with all the pollution. So much more algae for me. What are you all complaining about? I just flew past a hill right now.” Right then, a big shadow fell on this group. It was the wise resident-painted stork with its brilliant pink feathers. Sitting on a mobile tower, it pointed out, “That’s not a hill, but a mound of garbage the humans have produced.” Everyone burst into laughter.
But the stork turned serious and said, “I have stayed here my entire life. I have seen this creek change, new bridges being built, buildings constructed... I am worried about our home.” An ominous silence followed, the weight of uncertainty looming over everyone in the gathering. One of the wise grey herons chimed in: “I am hopeful humans will protect our home. The creek has sentimental value to them, too. They float their dead here and even immerse idols. Maybe some of them humans will become conscious of the creek.” Everyone in the congregation hoped the wise Grey heron is correct, as they carried on with their activities.
Akhil P K Menon is a student intern at Azim Premji University.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the organisation they represent.