Nagpur: Environmental activist Gopal Thosar has accused Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) of trying to change reservation of Sonegaon lake from water body to a government scheme — Beautification and Rejuvenation of Sonegaon Tank — against Supreme Court (SC) orders. A former honorary wildlife warden, Thosar has strongly objected to the civic body's move.
NMC town planning department had invited suggestions and objections on the proposal to change Sonegaon's lake reservation. Thosar is one among the many who have opposed NMC's move.
Thosar submitted his objection to NMC's process and also gave some suggestions. "Changing reservation of the lake from water body to buildable immovable property is a cruelty towards the lake and also environment. An SC order said 'material resources of the community like lakes, forests, ponds, hillock, mountain etc are nature's bounty'. SC also observed all these maintain delicate ecological balance and need to be protected for a proper and health environment, which enables people to enjoy quality life, which is the essence of guaranteed right under article 21 of the Constitution," he said.
Thosar alleged NMC was prepared, and making all efforts, to give transfer of development right (TDR) to the owners of Sonegaon lake by putting the water body at stake. "Even the high court considered the lake as water body and not a government scheme property for beautification, while deciding a dispute pertaining to the lake. Any change in legal status of the lake would amount to breach of these SC and HC orders," he said.
As for his suggestion, Thosar said NMC should find some other solution to compensate the owners, even if it puts a little burden on its exchequer instead of going for TDR. "In any case, the legal status of Sonegaon lake as water body should be strictly maintained. In case of change of legal status of the lake, I shall be compelled to approach the appropriate legal forum for resolution of my grievances," Thosar wrote.
Many other activists of Sonegaon Lake Bachao Samiti have been raising demands related to the lake for the last 25 years. They prevented private owners from destroying the water body and pressed for acquisition of the lake.
Activist Narayan Ahuja, along with some others from Sonegaon, Khamla and Jaiprakash Nagar, have also registered objections with NMC. "It seems NMC is finding ways to commercially exploit the water body by changing reservation. Also, the rights of citizens, cattle etc on the lake will come to an end if reservation is changed," he said.
Even retired NMC superintending engineer Nareshchandra Shrikhande has opposed NMC's move. Other activists who raised objection include Raghunath Nigote, Kishan Lalwani, Rajkumar Manchani, and Mahesh Chokani. RTI activist TH Naidu too has submitted his objection.
NMC town planning department had invited suggestions and objections on the proposal to change Sonegaon's lake reservation. Thosar is one among the many who have opposed NMC's move.
Thosar submitted his objection to NMC's process and also gave some suggestions. "Changing reservation of the lake from water body to buildable immovable property is a cruelty towards the lake and also environment. An SC order said 'material resources of the community like lakes, forests, ponds, hillock, mountain etc are nature's bounty'. SC also observed all these maintain delicate ecological balance and need to be protected for a proper and health environment, which enables people to enjoy quality life, which is the essence of guaranteed right under article 21 of the Constitution," he said.
Thosar alleged NMC was prepared, and making all efforts, to give transfer of development right (TDR) to the owners of Sonegaon lake by putting the water body at stake. "Even the high court considered the lake as water body and not a government scheme property for beautification, while deciding a dispute pertaining to the lake. Any change in legal status of the lake would amount to breach of these SC and HC orders," he said.
As for his suggestion, Thosar said NMC should find some other solution to compensate the owners, even if it puts a little burden on its exchequer instead of going for TDR. "In any case, the legal status of Sonegaon lake as water body should be strictly maintained. In case of change of legal status of the lake, I shall be compelled to approach the appropriate legal forum for resolution of my grievances," Thosar wrote.
Many other activists of Sonegaon Lake Bachao Samiti have been raising demands related to the lake for the last 25 years. They prevented private owners from destroying the water body and pressed for acquisition of the lake.
Activist Narayan Ahuja, along with some others from Sonegaon, Khamla and Jaiprakash Nagar, have also registered objections with NMC. "It seems NMC is finding ways to commercially exploit the water body by changing reservation. Also, the rights of citizens, cattle etc on the lake will come to an end if reservation is changed," he said.
Even retired NMC superintending engineer Nareshchandra Shrikhande has opposed NMC's move. Other activists who raised objection include Raghunath Nigote, Kishan Lalwani, Rajkumar Manchani, and Mahesh Chokani. RTI activist TH Naidu too has submitted his objection.
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