MUMBAI BATTLES ON
You can make a difference….Hari Seshasayee
Action Stations – Citizens are playing an active role in ensuring that water bodies are rejuvenated and preserved. From lobbying officials to staging protests and bringing in sponsors, people are showing the way ahead.
Just as open spaces have received their due in terms of funding and policies directed towards their upkeep, residents and activists are demanding similar protection for Mumbai’s vanishing water bodies.
Sherley Joseph Singh, secretary of the Juhu Scheme’s Residents’ Association (JSRA), is among those rallying for a policy that formalises a procedure to allow residents to adopt a water body and ensure its preservation. The group has made a presentation to the civic body, but is still awaiting a response.
“Instead of complaining about what is not being done, it is citizens’ responsibility to ensure water bodies are protected,“ said Singh.
“A new policy will aid citizens in conserving water bodies, but you must be cautious as it can easily be misused.
Besides, water bodies need to be mapped and categorised for such a policy,“ said Nayana Kathpalia, co-convener of Citispace, a citizens’ forum that works to maintain open spaces.
Besides, water bodies need to be mapped and categorised for such a policy,“ said Nayana Kathpalia, co-convener of Citispace, a citizens’ forum that works to maintain open spaces.
Such a policy would enable citizens to follow a structure that works towards conserving fast-disappearing water bodies that could help prevent floods, raise the water table and act as an active source of non-potable water supply.
In the absence of a policy, citizens are unsure of what procedure to follow with respect to conservation of water bodies and are applying various methods to achieve their ends. Juhu residents are working with elected representatives, the civic body and corporations such as Bisleri to conserve water bodies in the area. JSRA, along with Member of Brotherhood, a non-profit group, raised Rs 1.2 lakh in 2009 to conduct a marine study of Juhu Lake and assess methods for its restoration.
The report was presented to the collector and elected representatives last October, proposing methods for the restoration. However, action is yet to be taken.
The absence of a formal policy has also resulted in ad-hocism. For instance, Bandra residents approached the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in 2004 to restore Bandra Talao and even brought in private sponsors.
However, in 2008, the BMC said it wanted to restore the talao itself. Nothing happened till 2010, which is when residents took charge.
However, in 2008, the BMC said it wanted to restore the talao itself. Nothing happened till 2010, which is when residents took charge.
Lokhandwala Complex Environmental Action Group (LCEAG) successfully took a stand against builders dumping debris in Lokhandwala Lake. “We noted the numbers of the trucks dumping debris and sent their pictures to the BMC. We even protested outside its office,“ said Rishi Agarwal, environmental activist and LCEAG member. To ensure Bandra Talao is safe from development under the guise of beautification, residents wrote to the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee in 2007, asking that the talao be part of the Natural Heritage List. That decision is pending.
In Bandra, citizens take charge
BANDRA TALAO
The refreshing sight of fountains has now replaced the layers of garbage and dead fish floating in Swami Vivekananda Sarovar, better known as Bandra Talao, as it goes through its second phase of restoration. The 200-year-old pond adjoining SV Road is edging towards becoming a valuable public space. The fountains have begun aerating the water to provide oxygen to the water body and the civic body plans to construct a walkway around it for residents.
About 30 years ago, the talao was used for boat rides, had two fountains and a recreation ground. But the water was polluted after it began to be used as a dumping ground for waste, plastic and suspected sewer lines. Locals hope to revive the talao and beautify it with landscaping, an amphitheatre and fountains.
More than four residents’ groups, several activists and elected representatives have been actively working for five years towards conserving the 2.5 million cubic litre talao.
A marine study of the stagnant water body was conducted in April 2010 with the help of elected representatives and architect PK Das to determine possible methods for its restoration. Last July, the pond underwent its first phase of restoration, consisting primarily of a clean-up. “Residential groups and advanced locality managements (ALMs) don’t have funds to restore water bodies, so we requested the civic body to set aside funds to cleanse and preserve the talao,“ said Shyama Kulkarni, trustee of AGNI, a non-profit group that governs various ALMs.
Builders forced to back down…. PUNEET CHANDHOK – HT PHOTO LOKHANDWALA LAKE
A midst the bustle of shopping centres and high-rises, Lokhandwala Complex residents find serenity A at a la at a lake that is home to more than 40 species of birds. Residents made this possible due to their repeated protests over dumping of debris in the water and their engagement with the authorities.
Originally mangrove land, debris dumped into the water by a contractor transformed it into a lake as seawater was blocked, polluting the eight-acre plot that stretches up to Versova Creek.
In June 1999, members of the Lokhandwala Complex Environmental Action Group (LCEAG) mobilised residents to work towards conserving the lake and spread awareness by conducting workshops. They wrote more than 20 letters to the authorities and contacted the Environment Ministry, the civic body, the police and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority.
“Residents would stand in front of the trucks and protest outside the ward office. We sent letters and pictures of the trucks and the mangroves to the authorities,“ said Janet Durham, a member of LCEAG. After lodging several complaints over two years, the additional municipal commissioner met the parties concerned. In February 2002, the builders were forced to retreat by an order given by the K (West) Ward office.
The lake now faces problems during Ganeshotsav when idols are immersed in it.
* One of the suburbs’ largest, the lake raises the water table and provides oxygen to the area…..Dr UMESH MUNDLYE, who tested the lake’s water
60 acres of opportunity – JUHU LAKE
A carpet of water hyacinths covers he surface of Juhu Lake, camouflaging the water body that is spread across an area more than twice the size of Shivaji Park. Early mornings bring with them the sight of fisherman at one end of the lake, proof that it still supports marine life.
Rampant encroachment from slums and sewage water outlets from Nehru Nagar are degrading the lake, leaving a layer of filth at the bottom. Members of the Juhu Scheme’s Residents’ Association (JSRA) are fighting to restore the lake spread over 60 acres and bordering the Nehru Nagar slums and the Juhu aerodrome runway.
“Residents have been vigilant for three years now, but the restoration process is yet to begin. We are working with the collector, district magistrate and elected representatives to ensure the process begins soon,“ said Sherley Joseph Singh, secretary of JSRA. She said that, if revived, the lake could become an active source of water and would ensure protection from floods and a reduced carbon environment.
“This lake is one of the largest in the suburbs, it raises the water table and provides oxygen to the area. At times, people use the water for drinking and fishing,“ said Dr Umesh Mundlye, of Aditya Environmental Services, who tested the lake’s water content in September 2009.
At present, residents are waiting for permission from the Airports Authority of India, which owns the land the lake is located on, to begin the restoration process.