Green group gives clarion call to rise above petty politics to save the Mahananada river

Hearing a PIL filed by Kolkata based environmentalist Subhas Dutta, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took cognizance of the reckless dumping of waste in Mahananda river.

Darjeeling, July 28, 2017: Unless there is political will and all political parties rise above petty politics to save the Mahananda River, the future of this Himalayan River is murky, feels Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation (HNAF). The Foundation has been spreading awareness to make river pollution free.

The Mahananda river originates in the Himalayas at an elevation of 2100m in Kurseong in the Darjeeling district. It flows through the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary and descends to the plains of Siliguri. It then touches the Jalpaiguri district to enter Bangladesh and after flowing for 3km returns to India.

After flowing through the Uttar Dinajpur District it enters the State of Bihar and flows through Kishangunj and Kathihar in Bihar to enter West Bengal again in the Malda district. It joins the Ganges at Godagiri in the Nawabgunj district of Bangladesh.

"Encroachment on the banks of the river is the biggest problem. The encroachment has reached till mid river. From the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary to Phoolbari in the Jalpaiguri district there are around a lakh people who reside in encroachments on the banks. Along with this open defecation, cattle sheds, piggeries, illegal quarries, car washes make it the most polluted river in North Bengal. Indiscriminate dumping of Municipal waste of Siliguri town into the Mahananda is a major cause of concern, " stated Animesh Bose of HNAF.

Hearing a PIL filed by Kolkata based environmentalist Subhas Dutta, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took cognizance of the reckless dumping of waste in Mahananda river and issued notices to the West Bengal government, state pollution control board, Siliguri Municipal Corporation and its Deputy Commissioner in March this year.

"It has been brought to the notice of the tribunal that there are serious environmental issues in relation to pollution of river Mahananda in Siliguri, District Darjeeling and indiscriminate dumping of municipal solid waste all over the city.

Despite the fact that the matter was brought to the notice of public authorities, they have failed to take any remedial and precautionary steps. The river is being polluted by discharge of sewage and other effluents and dumping of waste. Consequently, we issue notice," the bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar had stated.

Spurred by the notices the Siliguri Municipal Corporation went about drawing up a plan to rid the banks of encroachments. It was decided that in the first phase, encroachments adjacent to the municipal crematorium would be cleared. There are over 30 illegal cattle sheds and over 100 of illegal constructions that would be removed the Corporation had claimed in April.

The CPIM led civic body decided to launch the drive along with the concerned state government departments. However repeated attempts to rid the banks of encroachments met with stiff resistance from the encroachers and continue being the same.

"We have been sensitizing the people for the past 25 years trying to make this river pollution free. While some political outfits try to evict the other parties try to resist. The role sometimes gets reversed depending on the outcome of elections. Political outfits need to have the will to rise up above petty politics to save this river, one of the most important lifelines of North Bengal. Otherwise this river will just become a part of history in future" stated Bose.

However on the brighter side the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA) has started a survey on the incomplete Mahananda Action Plan. The Mahananda Action Plan is a part of the Ganga Action Plan. The NGT has sought a report of what measures can be adopted to make the river pollution free.

"It is important to complete the Action Plan. This will provide the right direction to make the river pollution free" stated Saurav Chakroborty, Chairman, SJDA.

The Action Plan proposes the construction of three sewage treatment plants at Diesel Colony, Naukaghat and Phoolbari . There would be sub stations too. Along with this two Lifting (pump) stations will be constructed at Naukaghat and Phoolbari.

Beautification of the banks of Mahananda, Jorapani and Phuleshwari rivers are also part of the plan. "We have already started the technical survey work a week ago. As soon as the report is complete we will submit it to the NGT. Copy of the report will also be sent to the Municipal Affairs Departent, Government of West Bengal. The NGT will then decide on whether the SJDA or the Municipal Affairs Department will be the executing agency for the project" stated Chakroborty.

Incidentally in 2005 work on the action plan had been initiated. Rs 58 crores and 88 lakhs had been sanctioned as the first installment. However the work was not completed and there were widespread allegation of misappropriation of funds.

Two huge pits were dug up at Naukaghata. Beautification work had also been initiated. Work was however abandoned mid way. Iron rails and wire fences were stolen from the construction site.

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