Has the forest department abandoned the plan to grant protection status to Lokhandwala lake in Andheri, a crucial site for migratory bird species? In June 2022, the then Environment Minister, Aaditya Thackeray, instructed the Mangroves Cell of the forest department to declare it a forest.

Recently, the Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association (LOCA) wrote to the Mangrove Cell inquiring about the status of this declaration but has received no response. On May 29, LOCA even sent an email to the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and head of the Mangroves Cell. “We were going through some media reports about Lokhandwala Lake and found that your esteemed government body was going to take over the space as it attracts over 100 bird species and is a jewel in the crown of our area, which is a concrete jungle. We were wondering if you could update us on the same, as we would like to know the current status.”