mumbai ensconced in the silence of a mangrove patch this water body in lokhandwala is a haven for the feathered species the flapping of the wings of a bronze bird mingled with the soft twitter of a blue kingfisher is all that one can hear at the lake which breaks into a ripple as the wind sweeps over it in summer the water body often dries up turning into a big field for children to play onhowever unfortunately very few know of the lakes existence residents of the area have now decided to come together and conserve their beloved yet nonexistent lake this obscure water body which stretches across 8 acres of land is not even mentioned in the land records which merely calls it a mhada plotwe need to conserve this lake our first step will be to spread the message about it once there is enough awareness and enough love for it we will petition to the revenue department mhada as well as the forest department and get the status changed said rishi aggarwal honorary secretary of the lokhandwala complex environmental action group residents plan to start a massive signature campaign soonthe lake is also a pet for birdwatchers groups of enthusiasts often gather at the water body trying to catch a glimpse of a rare species or two sometimes they are greeted to a blitz wobbler as it glides down to the edge of the lake and swoops over the water it has flown all the way from central asia seeking warmer climes and has finally found a quiet spot to rest for a while the birdgazers at times also spot bronzewinged jacanas skimming on the surface of water jacanas were found in abundance in the marshes of mirabhayendar till some years ago now with the decline in water bodies it is difficult to spot them said environmentalist sunjoy monga as he peered through his binoculars usually male birds are the active partners during mating but for jacans the females are polyandrous and take care of the process for the residents of the busy suburb this lake is the only green connection it is small oasis of peace in an area crowded to the point of insanity with buildings and other rampant constructionsaid lokhandwala resident alka adukia