Pune
Mirror: Pune Wednesday, February 28,
2018.
Environmentalists claim the change in the DP was
created to smooth the way for a builder who has already begun work at the spot
Even as activists cry foul over construction being
proposed at the Empress Garden, another point of concern has sprung up, this
time at the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary in Yerwada.
The state government, while changing reservations
in the development plan (DP), has sanctioned a residential zone right in the
middle of the sanctuary. Environmentalists have expressed concern, stating that
this is not the first time the bird sanctuary is under threat. They have also
alleged that these changes are being made for the benefit of a builder who has
already started construction in the area. However, the Pune Municipal
Corporation (PMC) has maintained that the question of construction doesn’t
arise as they have not received or sanctioned any plan.
Spread over 20 acres, the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
is the nesting place for over 30 species of birds. Only last year, this site
was declared a park and no construction was to be allowed in the area. The
final draft submitted by PMC to the state government also displayed a
reservation of PK-14 or Park 14. The reservation remained the same even after
the final draft was submitted by the three-member committee appointed by the
state government. But, after the DP was sanctioned by the state government,
surprising changes in the reservations are coming to light. While protests have
begun over changes in flood lines and the proposed construction at Empress
Garden, it turns out that almost 4.25 acres right in the middle of the
sanctuary have been converted into a residential zone.
Activists
working in this area were taken aback when they saw this change and have
written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, asking the state government to
reconsider. But they have also alleged that the change was made in the first
place so that a city-based builder could benefit and go ahead with his
construction. Speaking about the matter, Satish Khot, an activist working with
National Society for Clean Cities, Pune, said, “It doesn’t make sense to
suddenly take away 4.25 acres from a park. We suspect that this is being done
for the benefit of a city-based builder. I have filed a query under the Right
to Information (RTI) Act, but authorities have not responded yet. On the other
hand, the builder has already started constructing a wall on the premises. This
move will significantly reduce the size of the green belt and damage the
environment in many ways.”
According to
activists, this is not the first time that the sanctuary has come under threat.
Between 2004 and 2007, PMC constructed a twolane road at the spot, called South
Avenue, which has already reduced the size of the green belt. A bridge
adjoining the two parts of the sanctuary, called Aga Khan Bridge, was
constructed later. South Avenue was then concretised as part of the 32-km
Shivane Kharadi road. This, according to the activists, has damaged the space
already.
Environmentalist
Sarang Yadwadkar said, “There was a case we had filed in the National Green
Tribunal (NGT) in which they clearly stated that no construction can be done
within 50 metres from the riverbed. There is also the question on the two
separate parts. Do they want birds to start recognising part A and part B of
the sanctuary?”
PMC
authorities, however, have claimed that they have no idea as to why the
reservation was changed and have not sanctioned any construction plan. Speaking
to Mirror, Prashant Waghmare, chief city engineer, said “We did not propose the
reservation. It was changed when the final DP was released by the state
government. While we can see that the area has been changed into a residential
zone, it is difficult for us to fathom the reason behind it. We have not
received any plan for construction neither have we sanctioned anything in the
past.”
.JPG)
.JPG)
