Source : The Times of India Date : 09.07.2009
Despite PCMC drive, water hyacinth collects in Pavana river
PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's (PCMC) efforts to remove the water hyacinth from Pavana river do not seem to have brought about
the desired results. A green carpet of water hyacinth has accumulated on the Pavana river at Pimpale Gurav.
Water hyacinth is a weed that grows in the polluted water and increases the mosquito menace in the surrounding areas.
A month ago the PCMC conducted a drive to remove the water hyacinth in the stretch of Pavana river that flows through the Military Dairy Farm area in Pimpri. This area lies upstream of Pimpale Gurav village.
Raju Savale, a social activist said, "The PCMC should remove the water hyacinth from Pavana river in the summer and not in the monsoon as it gets washed away during the rains."
Vikas Patil, founder, Indrayani Bachav Kruti Samiti, said that water hyacinth can be found in many areas in municipal limits like Bopkhel, Aundh bridge, Sangvi (Mula river) and in Kalewadi and Pimpale Gurav areas in Pavana river.
"Two years ago the civic body had a special department of 40 labourers to remove the water hyacinth. These labourers were shifted to other departments so the PCMC does not have a regular workforce to remove the water hyacinth," said Patil.
Speaking to TOI, R B Chavan, health executive officer said, "The PCMC has begun the drive to remove the water hyacinth from the Pavana river. The work has been completed in Pimpri, Chinchwad and Kalewadi areas and we will remove the water hyacinth from other areas also."
Water hyacinth is a weed that grows in the polluted water and increases the mosquito menace in the surrounding areas.
A month ago the PCMC conducted a drive to remove the water hyacinth in the stretch of Pavana river that flows through the Military Dairy Farm area in Pimpri. This area lies upstream of Pimpale Gurav village.
Raju Savale, a social activist said, "The PCMC should remove the water hyacinth from Pavana river in the summer and not in the monsoon as it gets washed away during the rains."
Vikas Patil, founder, Indrayani Bachav Kruti Samiti, said that water hyacinth can be found in many areas in municipal limits like Bopkhel, Aundh bridge, Sangvi (Mula river) and in Kalewadi and Pimpale Gurav areas in Pavana river.
"Two years ago the civic body had a special department of 40 labourers to remove the water hyacinth. These labourers were shifted to other departments so the PCMC does not have a regular workforce to remove the water hyacinth," said Patil.
Speaking to TOI, R B Chavan, health executive officer said, "The PCMC has begun the drive to remove the water hyacinth from the Pavana river. The work has been completed in Pimpri, Chinchwad and Kalewadi areas and we will remove the water hyacinth from other areas also."