HC slams authorities’ apathy in saving Lonar
| Date :07-Jul-2020 |
Staff Reporter ;
Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court, on Monday, came down heavily upon top officials for their shocking indifference and lack of enthusiasm in undertaking tasks suggested by experts and endorsed by the court to save Lonar crater lake. During a special hearing of PIL related to conservation and protection of Lonar crater, a division bench consisting of Justice Sunil Shukre and Justice Anil Kilor put the top officials on notice and expressed acute displeasure over the apathy displayed by them towards completing the works to save Lonar for posterity.
The senior lawyers, who inspected Lonar crater as directed by the High Court on June 17, reported back sorry state of affairs and shoddy quality of work done so far. Senior Counsel C S Kaptan, who heads the court committee, deplored the approach of officials and reported the half-hearted measures and participation of junior officials in the meeting. He expressed wonder over the lack of appointment of a Range Forest Officer (RFO) despite clear instructions by Principal Secretary almost a year ago. Adv Anand Parchure appearing for the petitioner Kirti Nipanikar strongly supported Adv Kaptan and demanded stern action against officials shirking their responsibility.
The lawyers also pointed out faults in the sewage treatment plant (STP) and open defecation by nearby villagers polluting the Lonar crater. The plant requires immediate correction or replacement, the lawyers suggested. Sumant Deopujari, Government Pleader, tried to defend the authorities and stated that most of the works ordered by the High Court were being undertaken. However, the High Court was not impressed by the justification offered on behalf of authorities and directed them to remain present via video-conferencing during the next date of hearing. During the last hearing, the High Court had passed a slew of directives to protect and preserve Lonar crater following change in colour of water due to increase in PH level and salinity of lake water.
The High Court had directed four senior lawyers including senior advocate C S Kaptan, petitioner’s counsel Adv Anand Parchure, MPCB’s standing counsel Adv Ravi Sanyal, and Amicus Curiae Adv Ashutosh Dharmadhikari to visit the Lonar crater and submit a status report. The ground report presented by them surprised everyone and Adv Kaptan described the entire effort as an exercise in futility since senior officials including Buldana Collector were not very enthusiastic about it, he stated. Others endorsed his observation and narrated several contradictions in earlier reports presented by the authorities and the actual pathetic situation.