Preserve natural water streams from Bavdhan; demand activists

Several non government organizations from Pune, held a joint press conference today informing that the Pune Municipal Corporation should earmark the natural water streams from Bavdhan and preserve their natural way of flow.

Jaldevata Seva Abhiyan, Jal Biradari’s Shailendra Patel held a press conference today that these natural water streams must be earmarked in the Development Plan of city and also preserved in its natural form. Patel said if the civic body fails to adhere it, the NGO’s will approach National Green Tribunal. A committee was formed in the past which has PMC Commissioner as its member. But despite the authority being handed over to the Commissioner, there have been no steps in preservation of the natural stream.

All the government agencies Jal Samvardhan and Jal Niyojan department of State Government have been notified previously. Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority, Groundwater Resource Development Authority, Development Controller, deputy divisional officer / SDO have visited the sites where these natural water streams are located and have confirmed that it is a natural stream and needs to be preserved. In such case, the conservation of such streams is the responsibility of the local governing authority, in this case, it is Pune Municipal Corporation.

Pune Municipal Corporation Commissioner should earmark it is a natural stream in the development plan of the city under the MRTP Act 37, and should take necessary action and should not allow any construction activity around such streams.

Patel said in the past the PMC has been informed several times towards keeping alive Ram Nadi, natural streams in Bavdhan. Despite the reminders sent to the PMC there has been no response from the civic authorities. Jal Devata Seva Abhiyan, Jal Biradari, Samagra Nadi Parivar, Sahaj Jal Bodh, Bhujal Abhiyan, Jeevitnadi, Ramnadi Restoration Mission, Ramnadi Swachata Abhiyan, Pavana Nadi, Vasundhara Swachhata Abhiyan and other environmental NGO’s from Pune. The members present for the meeting also thanked GSDA, MWRRA, SDO Mulshi appreciated the efforts and their immediate action on verifying that these are natural streams and needs preservation.