In parched city, Chembur garden will stay green

The civic body’s decision to discontinue water supply to all gardens from March will not affect Chembur’s Nana Nani park.

The civic body’s decision to discontinue water supply to all gardens from March will not affect Chembur’s Nana Nani park.

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The garden, adopted by the Pestom Sagar Citizens’ Forum 10 years ago, will stay green all through this summer’s impending water crisis, after they unexpectedly struck groundwater.

“Four years ago, we dug a pit and set up a rainwater harvesting plant,” said Dr Vijay Sangole. “Recently, while digging to deepen the pit, we struck sweet water 5 ft below. On the suggestion of a civic engineer, we dug further and placed a motor at the spot.”

Since the last eight days, the locals have kept the garden alive with water from the pit, saving 150 litres of potable water that was earlier used for the 1-acre garden. Sangole said: “The pit is dug in such a way that excess water will flow back into the pit and help recharge the groundwater level.”

Sources in the garden department said there are 1,000 gardens in the city, and discontinuing their water supply will save around 10 million litres daily.

“It is a very good initiative, but yes, the gardens will need alternative water sources so they don’t dry up before monsoon,” said Additional Municipal Commissioner Anil Diggikar.

A circular issued by the civic hydraulic department has suggested the digging of borewells and ringwells in these gardens, as fresh sources of water.

This garden gets manure from biodegradable waste made in compost pits.