Powai lake: Activists protest Rs 40-crore civic makeover …Vijay Singh I TNN
Mumbai: The fate of the 117-year-old Powai lake may now only be decided in court, say citizens who have been struggling to prevent various changes from being made in and around the water body.
Powai resident and environmentalist Debi Goenka said, “We had written to the BMC, raising objections to certain aspects of the Rs 40-crore civic project of lake revival and beautification. But I don’t think it has made any difference and the BMC is still going ahead with their plan.’’
For example, Goenka added, most people do not want the corporation to construct the three water fountains (including a musical one) as it will ruin the lake’s atmosphere and also affect the large number of crocodiles and birds that are dependent on the lake’s ecosystem. Popular singer Hariharan who also lives at the Hiranandani Gardens had recently raised his objections to the fountains by singing his protest on the banks of Powai lake.
“I think ultimately we may have to go to court if the BMC does not listen to the residents,’’ said Goenka. However, BMC officials had told TOI earlier this year that the fountains will aerate the lake.
Another point that people are unhappy about is the reduction of the lake area due to the expansion of the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road. “Apart from the link road, a prominent five-star hotel has also been built on the edge of the lake. We are all concerned about the lake, especially because the rapid urbanisation is directly affecting the lake’s health,’’ said the director of the Young Environmentalists Programme, Elsie Gabriel, a Powai resident.
Last Saturday, in a YEP programme, nearly 500 citizens had taken an oath together in Powai to protect their environment. But, Gabriel admitted that the government machinery must work in the interests of the citizens to make a difference.
“I believe that the Powai lake should be put under the protection of the Ramsar Convention, which look after wetlands. They have a large numbers of trees, fish, avian species and crocodiles, snails, as well as butterflies. Other aspects of the lake’s bio-diversity also need to be conserved,’’ she said.
The Ramsar Convention, or ‘Convention on Wetlands of International Importance,’ aims to promote and protect wetlands worldwide. The convention was first signed in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971. Today, it covers thousands of wetlands in the world, providing protection and recognition to over 120 million hectare of internationally significant wetlands.
The Ramsar Convention, or ‘Convention on Wetlands of International Importance,’ aims to promote and protect wetlands worldwide. The convention was first signed in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971. Today, it covers thousands of wetlands in the world, providing protection and recognition to over 120 million hectare of internationally significant wetlands.
While the BMC said the lake revival and beautification project will boost tourism in the suburbs, residents feel adequate parking arrangements must also be considered for the project. They also want artificial ornamentations like fountains to be done away with. In their letter to the BMC, the residents have also said the serene beauty of the water body will be affected by the artificial fountains. Two of these will be placed in the middle of the lake, with water jets going up to 120-150 ft.
As for the musical fountain by the side of the lake, Goenka said, “We are already getting a lot of music and noise from TV channels, FM radios and road traffic. A person would normally go to the lakeside for some peace and quiet, to enjoy the breeze and the sunrise or sunset.’’
Currently, heavy-duty desilting work is going on at the lake, by making mini ‘bunds’ or dams within the lake. The BMC aims to dredge out 5 lakh cubic metres of silt.
THE RESIDENTS’ ARGUMENT
THE RESIDENTS’ ARGUMENT
1. Rapid urbanisation will ruin the lake’s atmosphere
2. Artificial fountains will affect the flora and fauna dependent on the lake’s ecosystem
3. Musical fountain will cause noise pollution
4. Adequate parking arrangements needed
5. The lake must be put under the protection of the Ramsar Convention, which looks after wetlands worldwide
6. BMC has chalked out a revival and beautification project for the Powai lake. The plans include:
7. Three water fountains in the lake (including a musical one)
8. Reducing the lake area, to expand Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road and to set up a five-star hotel nearby