Alwar: After Tarun Bharat Sangh, a Rajasthan-based non-profitable environmental NGO with its headquarter in Bheekampura, Alwar, and their associates in Maharashtra took up the cudgels for the protection of the Eco-sensitive area of Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra, Tejas Chavan, Sub Divisional Magistrate has filed an FIR in Trimbakeshwar police station, and Suraj Mandhare, District Collector has ordered an enquiry on the excavation work.
This move has been initiated also after a big hue and cry from the river activists locally.
On June 1, 2021, Tarun Bharat Sangh’s chairman and noted water conservationist Dr. Rajendra Singh, also known as the Waterman of India, along with his associates from all the States through which River Ganga is flowing, had a virtual meeting with members of media with a demand to Government to declare Trimbakeshwar, which is part of the origin of River Godavari as “eco-sensitive zone” to ensure protection and to prevent any further excavations.
Addressing the media Dr. Singh said that “This eco-sensitive zone doesn’t belong to real estate mafia, however, they are capable of getting support from all corners, that is why they could dare to encroach into Brahmagiri and Trimbakeshwar to make farmhouses, guest houses etc. But this is a common natural property, which is linked with our common good.” He said this matter is also linked up with the origin of our National River Godavari, and claimed that “this is an attack on our natural common resource and if we don’t join hands and fight to protect this treasure from destruction or degradation our future generations won’t forgive us”.
This massive damage had come to light after a local journalist Keshav wrote about it. “Only media can play a role to protect our natural resources from exploitation by exposing this kind of incidents,” Dr. Singh said.
A release from Tarun Bharat Sangh stated that while life on this planet depends in its biodiversity, rivers and eco-biological systems, any encroachment and over extraction of these natural resources will cause irreparable loss to the planet and thereby the life on it. Hence, it stated that while Government and especially forest department are assigned the task of protecting these hilly, forest areas, it is also the responsibilities of elderly people in the society like our priests, and people who worship nature join hands in protecting the nature.
Dr. Singh said Brahmagiri and Trimbakeshwar belong to the government, saints and society, therefore all should join hands to fight against the injustice done to this eco-sensitive area. “Protecting the nature is the need of the hour otherwise, the global network of profiteers is going strong day by day and they will destroy our eco-systems for their profits, this is not good for society,” he said.
V. Prakash Rao, Chairman of Telangana Water Board pointed out that in fact even the British did not destroy the nature but rather they protected it and especially Brahmagiri mountain by making steps to visit the mountain. “I on behalf Telangana Government will write to Maharashtra Government to kindly see that no destruction shall be permitted and ensure protection of this eco-sensitive zone,” he said, and asked, “When Britishers could protect this place which is the origin of Vaitarni, Godavari and one more river, why can’t we Indians?” He said under the leadership of Dr. Rajendra Singh “we will come to Brahmagiri and join the protest to protect the origin of Godavari”.
Bolisetty Satyanarayana, General Secretary (Environment) of Janasena Party and National Convenor of Jalbiradari said that this was a natural resource and didn’t belong only to Maharashtra State. “It belongs to 4 other states Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and indirectly it connects the whole world as the birds from various countries use this river every year. I will ensure that protection of Brahmagiri or Trimbakeshwar is the responsibility of all five states and people across the globe will join us to support this cause of protecting the nature,” he said, and pledged to fight with those who were causing damage to Brahmagiri Mountain which is the origin of Godavari.
Brahmagiri Mountain is protected by Constitution of India, under Article 48 it is the duty of “Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life” to State, and Article 51 (A) (g) it is the fundamental duty “to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild light and to have compassion for living creatures” of every citizen of India. “I on behalf of our Janasena Party and on behalf of State of Andhra Pradesh shall do every thing that is needed to protect the constitutional right this Eco-sensitive zone,” said Bolisetty, who hails from Andhra Pradesh.
Dr. Singh said he will write to the Chief Minister, Environment Minister and Forest Department of Maharashtra on this issue and will release that to media too.
While concluding Rajesh Pandit, an environmentalist, said the Brahmagiri houses rare species of plants and it will impact the ecology of that area. We need help from all people to protect Brahmagiri which is the origin of Godavari river,” he said.
Image credit: Niraj Suryawanshi
– global bihari bureau
