Pune News: Silent March Unites 600 Citizens and 70 NGOs for River Restoration

To express solidarity with those affected by the recent floods, Pune River Revival organized a Silent March on 25th August 2024. This march was held in collaboration with 70 NGOs working in the social and environmental sectors, along with experts and concerned citizens of Pune. Around 600 Punekars marched silently for 1hour, inspite of heavy rains, from Chattrapati Sambhaji Park gate via Deccan Gymkhana bus stand to Lakdi Pool. 

At the conclusion of the march, participants took a pledge for the river and engage in a symbolic gesture of tying a Rakhi to the river and to each other.

The NGOs who participated in the march under the banner of Pune River Revival were Jeevitnadi, Ecological  Society, National Alliance for Peoples Movement, National Society for Clean Cities, Sajag Nagrik Manch, Jalbiradari, Warrior Mom’s, Nisargasevak, Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti, Pune Samvad, Pune District Housing Federation, Fergusson River Club and many more. 

Punekar citizens like Vandanatai Chavan, Mohan Joshi, Aseem Sarode, Shyamala Desai, Sarang Yadwadkar, Vivek Velankar, R J Sangram, Suniti Su Ra, Vinay Ra Ra, Ajay Phatak, Narendra Chugh, Sumant Pande, Ajit Gokhale, Shrikant Gabale, Priti Mastakar, Dhananjay Shedbale, Shailesh Patel, Shripal Lalwani, Anil Velhal, Rekha Joshi, Ameetsingh, Rupesh Kesekar participated in the March. 

On behalf of PRR, Shailaja Deshpande, Prajakta Mahajan, Amitraj Deshmukh, Nishad Sevekari, Rahul Karambslekar, Kalyan Mane, Jaideep Baphna, Sanjeev Naik, Santosh Lalwani were behind the success of the march. 

Shailaja Deshpande from Jeevitnadi said A letter outlining citizens demands will be submitted to the administration after the Silent March. Additionally, a joint flood control meeting will be convened, involving all organizations, NGOs, experts, environmentalists, public representatives, media, and government officials. In this meeting, Pune-based scholars and experts will present measures to reduce the severity of future floods.

Santosh Lalwani from Pune River Revival said Through this march, we want to restore the rightful place of our rivers, tributaries, and streams, ensuring they are safe for both the environment and the citizens.

Prajakta Mahajan said, “This march is a means to voice our concerns to the government and the administration. We urge the administration to implement a legal, scientific, sustainable, and holistic plan that considers the threats posed by environmental changes.”