Debris dumping: Kharghar residents to move court to save pond

Residents said although they have been fighting hard, poor response from the authorities is responsible for destruction of the water body.

As a last resort to save a pond in sector 18-19 at Kahrgar, which has fallen prey to debris dumping, residents have decided to move court to save whatever is left (10%) of the water body. In addition, residents will sport black bands to protest debris dumping.

Pramod Patil, environment and forest officer, Cidco, said they cannot do anything because the pond is neither a wetland nor a natural body. (HT Photo)

Residents said although they have been fighting hard — from standing in front JCB machines to plant trees along the pond — poor response from the authorities is responsible for destruction of the water body.

“Yesterday we saw a few truckload of debris being dumped in the pond. We heaved a sigh of relief as nothing happened on Tuesday morning, but the reprieve was short-lived. Debris dumping resumed in the afternoon,’ said Ulka Shukla, 32, a sector 19 resident.

Pramod Patil, environment and forest officer, Cidco, said they cannot do anything because the pond is neither a wetland nor a natural body.

“Residents are free to protest in whatever way they deem fit,” he added.

Nareshchnadra Singh, from NGO Abhivyakti, who started the fight to save the pond, said, most residents lost hope after authorities did not pay heed to their repeated requests.

“Cidco officials were instructed to inspect the land. But nothing has happened so far. Getting a stay order from court is our last resort,” said Singh.