KOLKATA: It doesn’t share the same status as Rabindra Sarobar. Nor is it a part of the Union National Lake Conservation Plan. But Subhas Sarobar off Bypass has been crying for the same attention — be spared the Chhath revelry. The Calcutta High Court on Thursday observed that the state should consider keeping Chhath rituals away from both the 192-acre Rabindra Sarobar and the 40-acre Subhas Sarobar.
Antara Acharya, CEO, Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority, the custodian of both lakes, said, “We shall abide by the court order.”
IT professional and bird-lover Sudip Ghosh said, “Subhas Sarobar plays an important role in maintaining the city’s environmental balance. It was also ravaged by Amphan. So we should let it heal. Otherwise, scores of animals, amphibians and fish will be adversely affected when worshippers perform Chhath rituals.”
According to green activist S M Ghosh, after Chhath, Subhas Sarobar is left littered with plastic, flowers, bamboo shafts and remnants of burnt crackers. “The water is polluted by the dumped items and the oxygen content is reduced. Hope Chhath devotees won’t be allowed in Subhas Sarobar this time,” Ghosh said.
Mani Prasad Singh, president of Bihari Samaj, however, said, “The Beliaghata lake is the most convenient for scores of worshippers from Maniktala, Sealdah, Ultadanga and other parts of north Kolkata. Closing the doors to Subhas Sarobar will inconvenience them. We are also opposed to firecrackers and loud music, and these will not be allowed this time. But Chhath Puja is a religious affair. Why stop devotees from performing puja?”
Rajeev Biswal, a Subhas Sarobar regular, said, “This time, we had hoped Covid would have prevented revellers from thronging to Subhas Sarobar. Now there is the HC order as well. We have to wait and watch now.”