VADODARA: The
Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) is in dock yet again for ill-treating
Vishwamitri River.
A group of concerned citizens including environment activists sent a notice to the civic body on Monday asking it to stop dumping debris on the river bank. The activists said that VMC has been flouting
National Green Tribunal (NGT) and high court orders that have banned all construction activity along the river bank.
"The civic body has been dumping debris on the river bank near
Yavteshwar Mahadev Temple over last few days. VMC is also allowing clearing of vegetation, tree-felling, dredging, levelling and discharge of sewage on the river bank. It is clearly flouting all the rules," said Rohit Prajapati, environment activist.
"The debris disposed on the river bank will disturb the bio-diversity of the river. Also, this river is home to hundreds of crocodiles whose habitat is being disturbed. The NGT has already asked VMC to not do any construction or other activity in Vishwamitri Riverfront Development area," Prajapati told TOI.
"Also, the state environment impact assessment authority (SEIAA) had last year directed the VMC to not do any construction activity by the river bank. But the civic body is not just widening the Kala Ghoda bridge but also removing vegetation and filling up creek of the river near Bahucharaji Temple," Prajapati added. He said that they are not against the development projects but the VMC is not following proper procedure.
"The civic body has to approach the NGT and the SEIAA and seek permission for carrying out any activity near the river. We will now wait for the VMC reply. If they continue with their activity, we will take further legal steps," Prajapati said. Members of the Nature Walk group had on Sunday noticed debris being brought to the Vishwamitri River bank near Kala Ghoda bridge. The debris were being dumped on the bank to make a temporary road to facilitate movement of heavy vehicles for broadening the bridge.
The dumping was stopped after the members objected. The civic body has already stopped the Vishwamitri Riverfront Development project after Prajapati approached the NGT and objected to blatant flouting of environment protection rules.
