Citizens form the longest human chain to save Bharatvan
| Date :03-May-2019 |
Staff Reporter:
Around 15,000 people have extended their support to ‘Save Bharatvan’ campaign by way of signature drive
MAY 1 was Maharashtra Day. It was also Labour Day. But, this time, as far asNagpuris concerned,itprovedtobe ‘Save Bharatvan Day’. For, as many as 6,651 persons including students, professionals, businesspersons, social activists joined hands and formed the longest human chain for one cause -- Save Bharatvan. People started assembling at Futala lakeside as early as 6 am on May 1 (Wednesday). Volunteers, many of whom were housewives and children from Bharat Nagar area, formed the human chain by 6.30 am. Soon after, a rushofpeoplefromallwalksoflifestarted lining up the banks of Futala lake. Some had placards in their hands while others had banners. All of them wanted to save Bharatvan, the green patch of the city from being destroyed. The chain grew in length gradually. At 8 am, the line that had started from a corner of Futala lake near Amravati Road, reached the gates of Botanical Garden and further towards Vayusena gate. At the end of the event at 8 am, it was revealed that 6,651 people had participated in the human chain event.
The event was managed by citizens and not by any particular professional group or organisation. Students and teachers of over 10 schools including Modern School, G H Raisoni Vidyaniketan, CDS School, Saraswati Vidyalaya, Hillfort School, Centre Point School, and college students from engineering, pharmacy, hotel management, commerce, etc streams participated in the chain. Organisations like the Indian Navy, National Cadet Corps, Rotary Club, JCI Clubs,Lions Clubs,VidarbhaTaxpayers’ Association, Indian Medical Association, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Orange City Bikers ’Club, Hawk Cyclers’ Club, Big Ben Sports Club, Paryavaran PrernaVidarbha,GreenVigil,Punarnava Eco-Designs, Half-day Wildlifers, ShrushtiParyavaran,Gorewada Jungle Trekkers Club, and Vanrai also joined the human chain. Besides, there were old and young, ladies and gentlemen, children and office-goers who came out in supportof‘Save Bharatvan’ campaign and urged the authorities todrop the decision to make anun wanted road through Bharatvan by cutting a large number of trees. Alok,whohadcome alltheway from Mumbai,said that he wanted to see how citizens of Nagpur were responding to rapid destruction of trees and greencover and take back to Mumbai the message so that they could save places like Aarey forest there from thoughtless development.
Around 15,000 people have extended their support to ‘Save Bharatvan’ campaign by way of signature drive.Over 25,000 people have shown support through their representatives in 50 prominent institutions/ associations of thecitywho have opposed the proposed road and tree cutting. Also, over 1,500 people ar esupporting the cause by participating in weekly eco-friendly events being organised amidst the greens of Bharatvan.There are thousands of others who are pouring their support on social media. Everyone is extending support to saving Bharatvan and opposing the unnecessary development at the cost of green cover.
Scrap road proposed through Bharatvan, Footloose Trekkers urges Mpl Commr
Staff Reporter:
FOOTLOOSE Trekkers, an association of individuals from various walks of life who regularly go on treks in the Himalayas and other parts of India, has appealed to Abhijit Bangar, Municipal Commissioner,to scrap the proposal for road construction from Telangkhedi to Bharat Nagar through Bharatvan.
At least 800 trees (of which 250 are fully grown) willnot only be felled but ruthlessly culled for the purposes of constructing the road.This will cause a large-scale degradation of environment and ecology, and have a cascading and irreversible effect on the quality of life of Nagpurians, stated FootlooseTrekkersinitsmemorandum addressed to Bangar. The association accused Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) of offering ‘lame reason’ that the road was sanctioned under Development Plan of Nagpur city.
NMC should secure deletion of the said stretch of road by modifying Development Plan, and help protect the city’s green cover, it added. Nagpur is the second most greenest city in India. Cutting down 800 trees will mean losing this status and distinction.The trees and open spaces are lungs of the city, playing instrumental role in reducing temperature in summer and preventing soil erosion.
Already, hundreds of full-grown trees have been cut down for metro rail, flyovers, bridges, road widening etc.Also,thousands of full-grown trees are suffering from contraction as NMC and its contractors have not left any breathing space for trees while constructing road there by leaving the roots of the trees unable to get water and air that are necessary for photosynthesis, stated Footloose Trekkers. Destruction of green cover in Bharatvan will affect hundreds of birds and small animals and affect groundwater table in the area, for a road that will save only4-5minutes of drive.“We are not against any planned, ecofriendly and sustainable development of Nagpur city. But, the proposed road through Bharatvan is definitely not a sustainable development model. Hence, Municipal Commissioner should drop it,” Footloose Trekkers stated.