With the waterbody all but lost, residents of Bangur stand to lose more than just a beautiful walking stretch as experts paint a grim picture for the neighbourhood's ecology, Our correspondent reports
The dumping of debris along the banks of the water body at Bangur Avenue is jeopardising the well being of the entire community.
The water body, which lies along the VIP road connecting Bangur to Lake Town, was considered to be the lungs of the area. "The actions of some flat owners in the area is causing much damage not just to the community but also to the environment. These flat owners need a place to park their cars and are filling the water body with debris to make a parking lot of sorts," says Deepak Chatterjee, a businessman and a resident of the locality for the for more than 30 years.
Rubble rouse
A walk down the road reveals concrete rubbish lying everywhere. Stone chips and bricks are neatly lined at corners.
"Residents of the apartment complex needed a place to park their cars, somewhere near their homes to ensure the security of their cars. Which is probably why they took such a drastic and reckless step," says Prasanta Kumar Burman, a representative of the Bangur Residents Association.
Paradise Lost
The water body, which was a haven for morning walkers and nature lovers, is all but lost.
"I remember how beautiful this area was even a few years ago. Since this stretch of road was relatively traffic free, we could talk long, peaceful walks here. Thewater body has now become a sight for sore eyes. An idyllic wooden gazebo on it's banks was the perfect place for adda," says Bula Burman, a housewife and a resident of the area for more than 20 years.
The filling up of the water body could have serious consequences for the ecology and ecolologists are unanimous in their opinion on the subject.
"Environmental hazards caused by such reckless actions could be incredibly far reaching. The ecological balance of a locality depends on such water bodies," says reputed environmentalist Bonani Kakkar, a representative of People United for Better Living in Calcutta.
The Law
In 1993, a court order was passed by Justice Umesh Chandra Banerjee stating that "Wetlands can not be converted into plain land for construction purposes". This was in response to a petition filed by the People United for Better Living in Calcutta in 1993. Subsequently the West Bengal Government drafted a law, banning filling up of water bodies.
Authorityspeak
"This is a very serious problem and I am trying to tackle it," says local CPM Councillor Mishtu Chakraborty. One of the serious consequences of filling the water body also involves the flooding of Bangur Avenue. "Since most of the water stagnated in the area is pumped out to the water body, monsoons will be a nightmare," says Chakraborty. Chakraborty plans to take the help of the law in stopping the filling of the water body. "I hope I will get full cooperation from the police and the South Dum Dum Municipality," says Chakraborty.
In South Dum Dum Municipality, however, the tendency is to pass the buck. "We are aware of the situation, but things are out of our hands. If the local councilor approaches us, we promise full cooperation," says a senior officer on the condition of anonymity.
