After Times of India published
the other day that photograph of filth and discarded plastic on the shore of
the Upper Lake near the Boat Club one found for the first time the local
Pollution Control Board (PCB) reacting in print in the shape of a write-up authored
by its superintending engineer. It urged the youth to “blot out bane of Upper
Lake”
While articulating a few truisms
he said that “ban on non-biodegradable polythene at the Boat Club is the need
of the hour… as that was the only way out to save our scarce and priceless
water sources”. He further said “ever since the Lake became the centre of
attraction for tourists from Bhopal and outside they come in droves and leave
behind lots of plastic waste including polythene bags. Hotels, restaurants and
road-side kiosks lining the stretch of road along the Upper Lake … add to the
problem”.
The environmentally sensitive
people of Bhopal must be grateful to the engineer as the write-up indicates
that the PCB is aware of the problem. But nothing has been mentioned about what
it is going to do about the problem. He has only indulged in exhortations
without realizing that the days for such inanities are, sadly, long past. What
is needed is action, and more of it That the PCB has certain responsibilities
to protect the environment and wetlands, especially the one in Bhopal which, he
admits, “is a major source of drinking water for the better part of the city”
find no mention.
One, therefore, feels that it
needs to be told a few home truths. In the matter relating to conservation of
this important water body there have been a series acts of omissions on its
part. These are:
-
The engineer has not mentioned that whether the
Board has ever strongly recommended to the state government to ban the use of
polythene bags, more specifically near important water bodies
-
It never advised the MP State Tourism
Development Corporation not to encourage assembly of large crowds near the Lake
-
The Pollution Control Board never prevented
opening and establishment of eateries on the Lake View road though it must have
been aware that such eateries are a strict no-no near a wetland, more so, near
a drinking water source.
-
It never stopped the plying of motorised boats
on this Lake though it is aware such boats pollute the Lake. It even cleared
years ago plying of a floating restaurant on it which defied all logic. Like
advising the youth against the use of polythene bags it has not even suggested
to them not to go for rides on motor boats.
-
Failing to initially advise the government not
to make it a hub of local tourism it never seems to have ever protested against
installations of specimens of locomotive and a naval warship on the Lake shore to
attract more visitors.
-
While there may be some other failures what were
more glaring were its inability to prevent increasing human activity near the
Important Bird Area of the Wetland by permitting establishment of National
Institute of Sports and Sair Sapata outfits close to the Lake. It cannot deny
that it is aware of the fact that a wetland is affected most by what happens in
its catchments. These developments predictably resulted in shrinking numbers of
migratory birds. The Lake had been recognized as a Ramsar Site only because
birds from far away countries used to fly in in large numbers to roost.
In view of the above the PCB can
be held to be largely, if not wholly, responsible for the current degraded
condition of the Upper Lake. If, however, it had made suitable recommendations
to the government in regard to these matters and its advice was not acted upon
let it place the facts before the people to enable them to know who precisely
is or are responsible for pollution of this vital water body.
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