Pune: Nature Lovers Demand Reservation Of Bavdhan Natural Spring Site In Development Plan

Pune, 8th September 2021: Nature lovers have demanded that the natural spring site (water source) within the municipal limits at Bavdhan be reserved in the Pune city development plan and notified in the government gazette to provide protection. Jaldevata Seva Abhiyan and Jalbiradari Sanstha have made this demand to the Commissioner of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

The information was given at a press conference held at Pune Shramik Patrakar Sangh today. The organisation have warned to move the National Green Court (NGT) if the PMC did not take necessary action.

All the three concerned institutions of the Government of Maharashtra have given instructions in this regard to the Pune Municipal Corporation for water conservation and water planning of the State of Maharashtra.

Shailendra Patel of Jaldevata Seva Abhiyan said that officials of Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRAA), Groundwater Survey and Development Agency (GSDA), and Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Maval-Mulshi, have visited the natural spring site at Bavdhan and declared it a water source and notified to protect it. Regarding this, instructions and orders have been issued to the Municipal Commissioner, Pune, the local body responsible for the protection of springs.

A committee was set up by the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority to protect these water resources. It also includes the Pune Municipal Commissioner. The committee has directed the municipality to give its time-bound program. If this spring ceases to exist, it will be the responsibility of the municipality.

As per the rules of the Maharashtra Ground Water (Development and Management) Act, 2009, the committee has ordered the municipality not to allow construction and development work in this area, Patel informed.

By order of these three bodies of the Government of Maharashtra, the Municipal Commissioner in accordance with this will have to draw up the site for natural water resources by taking action under MRTP Act 37 in the City Development Plan.

It was also pointed out at the press conference that the nature-loving organizations have repeatedly approached the municipality for this spring and for keeping the Ramnadi river flowing.

Jaldevata Seva Abhiyan, Jal Biradari, Samagra Nadi Parivar, Sahaj Jal Bodh, Bhujal Abhiyan, Jeevit Nadi Ramnadi Restoration Mission, Ramnadi Swachhta Abhiyan, Pawana Nadi Vasundhara Swachhta Abhiyan, other environmental organizations in Pune have supported this water resources protection.