April 22, on the occasion of World Earth Day, the Powai Lake Cleanup and Conservation Campaign has been launched by the joint efforts of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Environment and Climate Change Department. Campaign has been started under the leadership of Environment, Climate Change and Animal Husbandry Minister Pankaja Munde. The initiative was launched by Pankaja Munde by tree plantation in the area and operating a harvesting machine for removal of Water Hyacinth from Powai Lake. The state-wide environmental conservation and awareness campaign will run from April 22 to May 1 (Maharashtra Day).
Campaign kick-off on Tuesday, April 22 at 7 am with the Powai Lake Cleanup and Conservation Public Awareness Campaign at Ganeshnagar Ganesh Ghat, Powai Lake.
The campaign launch event was quite the scene. Siddhesh Kadam, Chairman of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, was there, along with Jayashree Bhoj, Secretary of the Environment and Climate Change Department, and Dr. Avinash Dhakne, Member Secretary of the MPCB. Local MLA Dilip Mama Lande also showed his support, along with a bunch of environmentalists, social organization reps, and volunteers.
Several nature conservation organisations are backing the campaign, including Vanshakti, Burhani Foundation, Paryavarn Dakshata Manch, Nisarga Swasthya Mission, Helping Hands for Humanity, Nisarga Project Rise, and NASS.
Mumbai’s famous Powai Lake has polluted and become very poor condition in the last few decades. Due to sewage discharged into the lake, garbage thrown away, idol immersion, and Nirmalaya immersion pollution in Powai Lake has increased. Along with this, the number of Water Hyacinth is increasing day by day in the lake. Despite spending more than 100 crores, instead of reviving the lake, the condition of the lake is deteriorating more and more.
Notably, Powai Lake is home to crocodiles! These crocs have made the lake their home, and they’re actually a bit of a tourist attraction.
Speaking in this regard, environmentalists said that cleanliness alone is not enough for the conservation of water bodies, but coordination among agencies is important for restoration, accessibility for tourists and development of the lake.
Vanshakti Director, Environmentalist Stalin D had recently written a email to Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects) Abhijit Bangar, highlighting the problems of Powai Lake.
Speaking on the occasion, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Chairman Siddhesh Kadam said, “The board is studying in depth to prevent pollution of the lake. We are working on a permanent solution to stop this pollution, not a temporary one.”
“Along with reviving this lake, I am trying to do everything I can from my department to promote tourism and the environment conservation in this area and will continue to do so. In the coming days, this place will be an attraction not only for the people of Powai but also for the entire Mumbaikars. Today, I assure you that this initiative will not be just for this one day or this week, but this work of environmental protection and conservation will continue permanently,” Environment Minister Pankaja Munde assured.
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