Kolkata, Aug. 4 -- The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), the custodian of Rabindra Sarobar, swung into action after learning that an oil spill from a petrol/diesel-powered motorboat had polluted the water of the lake.
A section of morning walkers brought the matter to the notice of the KMDA and urged immediate action, pointing out that petrol and diesel-powered boats are prohibited in the waterbody under the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
According to a KMDA official, the Army had recently sought permission to use two boats for rowing purposes. "However, as soon as we came to know that a petrol/diesel-powered boat was being operated, immediate action was taken. The water quality of Rabindra Sarobar is under the scrutiny of the NGT, and it is our primary responsibility to ensure that all environmental hazards are prevented," the official said.
The Army had been using manually rowed boats for practice drills until Monday. However, on Tuesday, a diesel-powered boat was reportedly operated without informing the KMDA.
Environmentalist Somendra Mohan Ghosh, a regular morning walker at the lake, posted a video of the polluted water on social media on Tuesday morning.
"There is a standard operating procedure (SOP) that prohibits the use of diesel-powered boats in Rabindra Sarobar. When we, the morning walkers, found that the rule had been violated, causing water pollution that could pose a threat to the aquatic ecosystem, we immediately informed the KMDA. They assured us of prompt action, and from Tuesday afternoon onwards, no such polluting boats have been in operation," Ghosh said.
However, rowing clubs are permitted to keep diesel-powered boats stationed for emergency rescue operations. Battery-operated rescue boats are comparatively slower, and in the event of an accident, rescue operations using only battery-powered boats may not be effective.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.