Hon’ble Pradhan Mantri ji,

Greetings from NatConnect Foundation.

We sincerely appreciate your personal initiatives to protect India’s wetlands and expand the number of Ramsar sites. 

We respectfully request you to designate Mumbai’s iconic Powai Lake as a Ramsar site, recognizing its international ecological significance. Powai Lake is home to the Indian marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and several IUCN-listed vulnerable species, making its protection crucial for biodiversity conservation.

Key Issues for Powai Lake:

Biodiversity: Habitat to marsh crocodiles and IUCN-listed species.
Size & Scope: Covers 210 hectares with a 600-hectare catchment area.
Pollution: Receives 18 million litres of untreated sewage daily.
Urban Threats: Facing encroachment and habitat loss due to urbanization.
Legal Status: Listed in NIWA, verified by NCSCM; eligible for formal protection.
Conservation Action: BMC prioritizing cleanup; tenders for sewage diversion and treatment underway.
Ramsar Benefits: Ensures scientific management, restoration, legal protection, and global accountability.
Climate & Water Security: Strengthens biodiversity, water resources, and climate resilience.
 
We urge your swift intervention to grant Powai Lake Ramsar status, safeguarding this vital ecological asset for Mumbai and India.

Yours sincerely,

B N Kumar
Director – NatConnect Foundation

 
About NatConnect Foundation

NatConnect Foundation is a Mumbai-based environmental NGO dedicated to conserving urban and natural ecosystems, with a focus on wetlands, lakes, and mangroves. The organization engages in advocacy, scientific monitoring, and awareness campaigns, often collaborating with government bodies, local communities, and citizen groups.