A LOCAL court today issued notices to M P Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC), Lake Conservation Authority (LCA) and MP Pollution Control Board on a petition filed by a local NGO- Jagriti Manch Samiti- seeking ban on the Lake Princess - cruise operating in the Upper Lake.
Petitioners Ashok Malpani and Keshav Baldua, in their petition in the court of civil judge D K Singh, pleaded that cruise operation was polluting lake water used for drinking purpose. Also, plants in the Upper Lake were getting adversely affected.
The petitioners further contended that the Upper Lake is a major source for water supply in Bhopal and 28 million gallon water was supplied from its everyday.
Launching of the cruise has also caused litter strewn all along the banks, which also goes into the lake, it added. It has also jeopardised business of small fishermen, who depended on fishing in the lake for livelihood.
The petition, while arguing that the respondent MPSTDC, was using cruise to promote its commercial activities at the cost
of health of resident of Bhopal, prayed the court to put a ban on cruise operation.
In support of their contention, the petitioners have enclosed a copy of Master Plan-2005, which clearly stipulates that no recreational activities should be allowed in the Upper Lake because its water is basically used for drinking purpose.
{{/usCountry}}In support of their contention, the petitioners have enclosed a copy of Master Plan-2005, which clearly stipulates that no recreational activities should be allowed in the Upper Lake because its water is basically used for drinking purpose.
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Officer suspended for venders at Boat Club
TAKING STRICT action for allowing vendors at environmentally- sensitive Boat Club, the BMC has suspended zonal officer of zone-five Girish Bhavsar. Recently, Mayor Sunil Sood had directed removal of private vendors besides examination of MPSTDC- run restaurant at the Boat Club.
However, the BMC administration has not taken any decision regarding the restaurant about which Mayor Sunil Sood claimed that no permission was issued.
Authorities said that BMC doesn’t issue licenses to vendors but the official did that. However, it is also pleaded that licenses are issued according to clause in the Municipal Corporation Act.
The issue of pollution of Boat Club was highlighted recently after introduction of cruise boat in the Upper Lake.
Several pressure groups have come forward to oppose this cruise boat and other motorboats. However, the BMC administration issued permission for running it. It is likely that the issue would also be raised during the forthcoming meeting of the BMC council.