Nagpur News: The Maharashtra Pllution Control Board (MPCB) had issued a list of rules and regualtions to be followed while immerson of idols in water bodies during Ganeshotsav. The Nagpur Municipal Corporation had failed to comply with them during the immersions resulting in the death of thousands of fish in city lakes.
The MPCB took serious notice of the matter and has issued a notice to the NMC under section 43 of water law. The MPCB has also ordered NMC commissioner to be personally present before it for hearing.
Nagpur Today was first to bring this issue – Read Littered Gandhisagar Lake with toxic garbage exposes NMC’s cleanliness drive
A large number of fish died after immersion of idols in Gandhisagar and Futala lake in the city. During an inspection carried out by the MPCB, a great amount of civic solid waste was found in the water thus posing a threat to the flora and fauna of the lakes. Before the Ganesh festival, the MPCB had issued a list of rules to be followed by the NMC for avoiding loss of precious and important water species. Prior to this, the NMC was also found pouring the water of artificial tanks into wells and lakes. The NMC has been booked with breach of rules under Water Act of 1974 while handling civic solid waste. The MPCB has ordered the health department to initiate action against the NMC commissioner regarding the matter.
Green Vigil, an NGO working for the conversation of the environment conducted an investigation after the immersions which revealed a shocking fact. Because of the flowers immersed in lakes, the oxygen levels of the water has gone down considerably. The NGO also found traces of Mercury, Zinc and Nickel in the water after the immersions. These chemicals are harmful for aquatic life in the lakes.
