PIL leads to positive change around Ratna Lake in Ahmedabad's Ghuma

AHMEDABAD: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has informed the Gujarat high court that it has initiated actions to stop dumping of solid waste on Ratna Lake, to remove debris from the site and also about the beautification of the place.
The efforts to restore the beauty to the place is the result of a PIL filed by two students – Mehar Pandya and Aashna Jani – through advocate Premal Joshi in December last year. They cited earlier litigation to protect the lake.
The students objected to dumping of hazardous solid waste near the lake saying that it would destroy the ecological balance. They complained of filling up of the lake due to dumping of debris. They also expressed apprehension that the lake would soon become a landfill site and pointed out the flow of sewage water into the lake.
The HC ordered a joint inspection by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and AMC. In an affidavit, the civic body stated that a joint inspection was conducted and it immediately started addressing the issue. To stop sewage water entering the lake, a 1200 MM valve was installed upon the drainage line. AMC also deployed Varun Pump to drain out dirty water from the lake.
AMC said that it would place a fence around the lake, but this could be done only after the state government transfers the ownership to the civic body. “Till then, the corporation has initiated all effective and prompt action so as to see that there may not be any dumping of waste by any wrongdoer and a procedure to monitor such aspect are put in place,”the affidavit reads.
AMC has removed debris dumped on the banks of the lake. Besides, it has undertaken gardening work around the lake. It has started planting trees in 30 metre periphery. AMC has also deployed two officers to monitor that the lake remains clean.