Mumbai May 21(Reporter) In a shocking and unprecedented incident, 39 flamingos died after a huge flock was hit by a passenger Aircraft over the Ghatkopar area in the Mumbai suburb while it was on its final approach for landing at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport . The incident has come as a big jolt to flamingo conservation. The Boeing 777 , that hit the birds on Monday night. had over 300 passengers on board, according to reports. The Maharashtra Forest Department (MFD) and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) have confirmed the deaths. The CSMIA and the private Airliner have not yet commented on the issue. Navi Mumbai-based NatConnect Foundation has urged the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for a high-level investigation to ascertain how the Aircraft clashed with the birds and whether the pilot could not notice the flock on his radar. The incident took place behind Rasika Restaurant and Bar in Laxmi Nagar-Pant Nagar junction of Ghatkopar. The carcasses were recovered off the Andheri-Ghatkopar Link Road. “An investigation into the incident is being carried out,” said S V Ramarao, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Mangrove Cell. After the incident, Prashant Bahadur, Range Forest Officer, Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, Deepak Khade, Divisional Forest Officer, Mumbai Mangrove Conservation Unit, and Vikrant Khade, Assistant Conservator of Forests, Mangrove Protection-Mumbai, rushed to the spot. The bodies of flamingos were brought to the Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Centre at Airoli in Navi Mumbai where the post-mortem was carried out. “From the scene, it was felt that the cause of death was a hit by an Airplane,” BNHS Director Kishor Rithe said. “It could have been very dangerous for the passengers too. We will help the agencies in investigating and fixing the issue. BNHS has mentioned the importance of protecting high tide roosting places in and around Mumbai, along the coast from any kind of disturbance. Hope the concerned authorities will identify all the causes and address them before something happens again,” added Rithe. “We are sad to say that it was a disaster that was waiting to happen,” said Kumar, adding: “Had any passenger been affected due to the bird hit, it would have made global headlines, but the death of poor 40 flamingos does not seem to bother the authorities, urban planners in particular.” "It seems 40 flamingos died when an Aircraft hit them while landing at Ghatkopar in Mumbai. I visited Lakshmi Baug, Ghatkopar, and saw a dead body and remains of other flamingoes. I spoke to officials of Forest, BMC, Police,” said Dr Kirit Somaiya, senior BJP leader and former MP...////...