Khushi Maheshwari, Pune
Citizen Activist Krunal Gharre had filed a legal complaint against Pune’s Local administrative bodies on account of their mistreatment and neglect towards Pavana river. The complaint was filed on 17th July and was against the following Municipal bodies: Pune District Collector Office, PMRDA, PCMC, Pune Zilha Parishad and MPCB. Officials from each of these bodies have been summoned by the National Green Tribunal for a hearing on 27th August.
The incessant pollution and ignorance on the administration’s part has propelled one of the most prominent rivers in the city to be listed under category ‘Priority 1’ pertaining to the standards of Central Pollution Control Board or CPCB. The reasons for the abysmal state of the river have been attributed to absence of a proper sewage treatment mechanism, rampant urbanization and rapid industrial growth around the water body.
The case has been filed with the National Green Tribunal and aims to achieve a holistic restoration of Pavana river. It brings to the forefront pertinent issues such as:
Deliberate Passivity in terms of taking actions on part of the officials: In Spite of earlier notices directing these bodies to take prompt measures to contain the pollution in the River Pavana, they have failed to do so.
Lack of planning in Development Projects: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority is alleged to have approved development projects while falling short of ensuring availability of foundational infrastructure to combat environmental degradation
Escape from Accountability: Despite raising the issue of extreme pollution in the river, none of the local bodies have risen to the occasion to undertake the responsibility for the same. There is a lack of coordination among them adding to their tendencies of escaping from taking any accountability, let alone executing corrective measures for the same.
Gharre, who had done exemplary work to clear sewage from a 6 kilometer stretch of the Ram Nadi with the help of other Pune Citizens, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and the Bhugaon Bhukum Gram Panchayat, stated that the local authorities along with the committee formed to address this issue have been unsuccessful in delivering on their initial goals of curbing pollution in rivers like Mula, Mutha, Indrayani, Pavana, and so on which ultimately led to him filing the complaint. He said, “A joint committee comprising higher authorities such as principal secretary, Environment Department and other departments and river management and rejuvenation committee was formed to combat pollution in Mula, Mutha, Indrayani, Pavana and other rivers in Pune region. However, these committees have failed to deliver intended results and the complaint was filed.”