MUMBAI: If the oil slick in the Arabian Sea off the Mumbai, Thane and Raigad coasts persists for a longer period, there are chances that bird life in the region would be affected, as from September migratory birds start arriving.

“It would affect the mangroves, the marine life as well as the birds, particularly the Waders,” says Sunjoy Monga, a conversationalist and photographer, who has penned a book, 'Birds of Mumbai'.

“From September, Waders will be arriving here from Central Asia and Tundra, and if the oil spill persists, it is a cause of concern for us,” says Monga, who is also a member of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). Waders refers to long-legged wading birds like storks and herons.

“We have to look at the total scenario, the mangroves and tidal areas would be affected with the oil spill. Already there are some disturbing pictures about crabs trying to escape the spill. The marine life would be affected, and so as the bird life,” he told Sakal Times on Tuesday. Four days after two huge ships, MSC Chitra and MV Al Khalajia-III collided at 1.5 nautical miles off Mumbai leading to an oil spill. Herons and pelicans have been seen in the Mumbai harbour.

The pesticides in some of the containers are also a matter of concern. “If these are not identified and removed, this would create a havoc for aquatic flora and fauna,” said Dilawar Mohammed, who works with the BNHS and heads Nature Forever Society.

Dr Girish Jathar, who works with the Ahmedabad-based Centre for Environmental Education, said that flamingos generally start arriving here by October-end. Already there are reports that the spill had affected the shores of Sewree. “This is one of the place where flamingos arrive in large numbers and this has been happening since the past over a decade,” he said, adding that a lot of egrets and gulls are seen in the Mumbai harbour and the Thane creek.

“In case of oil spills, the whole chain gets disturbed,” points out Dr B F Chhapgar, India's foremost marine biologist. The two districts in the commercial capital,  Mumbai City and Mumbai Suburbs coupled with Thane and Raigad districts are house of  300 different species of birds