Maharashtra metro filling debris into futala lake’s natural stream

NAGPUR: Already facing a PIL for building concrete structures on the banks of Futala Lake, MahaMetro has now started to reclaim land by filling debris into one of the major tributary seasonal streams of the waterbody, allegedly without scientific study and permission from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and state’s public works department (PWD).
MahaMetro reclaimed land from the stream near the entrance gate of Satpuda Botanical Garden to a bridge on the Vayu Sena Road on Tuesday. Mud and debris have been dumped along the road to also fill up the remaining part of the stream up to the caved in gate of the garden.

Green crusader Shrikant Deshpande told TOI, “There are two hillocks on the bank of Futala Lake, of which one houses Vayu Sena Colony and other Mafsu offices. Rainwater from these two hillocks flows into the lake through the stream. Therefore, the stream is very crucial for the existence of the waterbody. Unfortunately, the MahaMetro is converting the stream into a footpath. It will cause great damage to the lake and entire ecosystem in the area.”
As the PDKV has blocked flow of water from a culvert into the garden, the stream remains only source of water for the lake. The rainwater flows from the stream, which joins a big nullah inside the Botanical Garden at a few spots. The nullah merges into the lake.
Deshpande alleged that MahaMetro has not conducted any scientific study to find out impact on the flora and fauna because of the conversion of the stream into a concrete platform.
“MahaMetro was engaged for execution of a project titled — Improvement of traffic congestion at Futala Lake Road and construction of concrete road with viewing gallery’. The ongoing work is not part of the project. Still, MahaMetro has undertaken the reclamation work. Detailed inquiry should be conducted into the work and damage caused to the waterbody and environment,” he said.
MahaMetro spokesperson declined to comment citing the PIL pending in the HC.
NGO Swachh Association had filed the public interest litigation (PIL) in which the HC issued notices to 10 respondents, including MahaMetro, on January 25. As per the petitioner, Futala Lake is listed in the National Wetland Inventory and Assessment and mapped as wetland in the National Wetland Atlas-Maharashtra. As per Wetlands (conservation and management) Rules 2010, any activity which is likely to have adverse impact on the ecosystem of the wetland is prohibited and water sources cannot be diverted or interrupted without prior permission of the government.
In the PIL, the petitioner has also prayed for appropriate directions to Wetland Authority (Maharashtra) to periodically review wetlands in the city, including Futala Lake, and prohibit and regulate activities as per rules.
Deshpande questioned how MahaMetro can commence destruction of the water source of the lake when it cannot clarify its position on the pretext of the matter being sub judice. “Stringent action should be taken against the concerned officials. Natural water stream should be restored to its original status,” he said.
The lake is owned by the government and the PWD is caretaker. The MahaMetro has reportedly not taken permission from the PWD for executing the works. The NMC has asphalted Vayu Sena Road a few days ago. The MahaMetro has not taken no objection certificate of the civic body also.
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IAN
*Two hillocks are situated near Futala Lake
*Vayu Sena Colony stands on one hillock and Mafsu’s offices on another
*Natural water stream is situated between Vayu Sena Road and Botanical Garden of PDKV from main gate to a caved in gate towards the lake
*A culvert is located some distance away from the main gate of the garden
*Rainwater flows through the stream into a nullah inside the garden, which merges into the lake
*Water coming from the culvert used to flow into the nullah located inside the garden
*As PDKV blocked the nullah, the stream remains only source of water for the lake
*MahaMetro filled the stream near garden’s main gate up to culvert with mud and debris
*Mud and debris have been dumped along the road to fill remaining part of the stream
*All this was done ignoring the fact that a PIL is pending in HC
*MahaMetro did not conduct scientific study and did not obtain PWD and NMC permission
*No permission was taken from government as per Wetland Rules