Following the ongoing River Front Development (RFD) project in Pune, Chaphekar Chowk in Pimprii-Chinchwad gathered at the Chaphekar Chowk in Pune on Sunday to oppose river farming and loss of natural vegetation on the river bank, while demanding Mula, Pavna, Indrayani and other Mula Arryani and other Mula and Reivers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation for the River Development (RFD) project in Pune in March 2022, preparing its detailed project report (DPR) to beautify the 44-km long Mura and Musa Rivers passing the city, laying the foundation for the River Development (RFD) project in Pune in March 2022.
“Concrete embankments under RFD have the potential to seriously harm biodiversity by destroying the delicate ecosystems of the river bank, resulting in habitat loss for various animals and plants and could affect the natural balance of the riparian areas. Modifying rivers in a natural way in Siddha Peeth may be a role model for the upcoming RFD,” said Vaishali Gaikwad of the Aarambh Foundation.
“The priority is to make the river pollution-free by avoiding wastewater and untreated wastewater treatment plants (STPs) discharged into the river. Each river and stream from source needs to be revitalized from the source to the confluence. In the case of RFD implementation, it must be completed while respecting biological elements. However, such projects are at the cost of disrupting the ecosystem, resulting in adverse consequences. Furthermore, these projects are conducted without studying ecologically sensitive areas, and citizens are ignored when deciding on RFD projects, tree deforestation and flood management,” said Shailaja Deshpande of the Jeevitnadi Foundation.
“If we block untreated sewage water from entering them, then microorganisms, fish, insects and other microorganisms in the ecosystem will clean the river themselves. How do you embellish the riverside with cut trees? Generally, five trees can invalidate the carbon released by an air conditioner, how can we match the balance of increasing carbon emissions by cutting (trees)? Citizens are not asking for such projects, nor are they going to grow and develop this way to harm ecology,” said participant Vaishali Dalvi.
“The Goda Park Project in Nashik has caused river ecology loss. Extensive concrete on the river bank encloses the water structure and changes the natural flow of the river. This leads to flooding and lateral erosion in the surrounding area. If the RFD continues, it can be witnessed in Pune,” Davi added.
“RFD will significantly damage the ecology of the river by shrinking the riverbed and further reduce flood risk through construction activities along the riverbank, essentially giving priority to the health of the river system,” said Ramesh Sardesai, participant.
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Responding to the citizens’ request, Amit Gorkhe said he would meet with Minister of Environment and Climate Change Pankaja Munde in the coming week to make a request and urged the chief minister to investigate the matter.
Shubham Kurale is an intern in India Express
