A Fountain Out Of Sync

Mumbai . Saturday, August 29, 2009 . Front Page

Naturalists furious with BMC’s plan for Powai Lake

City-based environmentalists and bird experts are opposing a musical fountain which is to be part of a BMC project to beautify the Powai Lake. They claim that this fountain will attract visitors but will end up disturbing the birds around the lake. PAWS-Mumbai (Plant & Animals Welfare Society – Mumbai), a city-based NGO has filed a complaint with the local MLA and State Home Minister, Naseem Khan, requesting that the natural habitat of the Powai lake not be disturbed. The construction would endanger the existence of marine life and harm the fishes, turtles, crocodiles and other wildlife in the lake. It will also disturb the arrival of rate migratory birds to the lake.

Talking to ADC, Sunish Subramanian of PAWS-Mumbai said, “When the project got started, we personally complained about the musical fountain to Mayor Subha Raul, but she ignored our concerns. We have therefore complained to Naseem Khan. The BMC project is one unfortunate step in the wrong direction, and will disturb the birds and animals living in and around the lake.”

According to Adesh Shivkar, Environmentalist and bird expert, “Mumbai has already witnessed massive destruction of its green cover and we are seeing the harsh consequences. Instead of saving the remaining patches of biodiversity, we are further disturbing and degrading them. Powai is not just a lake, but an excellent example of a rich biodiversity habitat that harbours several species of birds, fish, and plants. Any change or disturbance will destroy this fragile and sensitive habitat irreversibly. I think we have abused nature enough. Now let leave the nature as it is.”

The beautification project, which includes a musical fountain in the middle of the lake, a jogging track, and a garden, is being done at a cost of Rs.31 crore.

Officials from the Hydraulic Department, who are having the responsibility of this project said, “The musical fountain is only part of the beautification and musical will be soft and instrumental. It will not harm marine and bird life. If environmentalists oppose this fountain, we will talk to them and find out a solution.”