The Times of India 29.11.2020
Kolhapur:
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) has found sewage being
released untreated from four nullahs in the city into the Panchaganga
river causing pollution.
Apart from this, the sewage from the residential areas is being discharged into the famous Rankala lake.
The
MPCB authorities conducted surveys of all the nullahs and lakes after
activists complained that the MPCB has not surveyed since the last eight
months even though the Bombay high court directed the authorities to
submit the status of the pollution in Panchganga river and Rankala lake
in every three months.
A panel under the Pune divisional
commissioner has been appointed to monitor pollution mitigating measures
undertaken by the local bodies.
A senior MPCB official requesting
anonymity said, “We have collected samples of waste water discharging
into the water bodies. The samples will be tested for various polluting
parameters. We have observed the discharge is taking place from four
nullahs without treatment.”
“The discharge from Jayanti nullah was
taking place and after our directions the pumping of waste water to
treatment plant was started,” the official added.
Samir
Vhyagrambare, the civic body’s head of environmental cell said, “We have
major nullahs diverted for treatment. The discharge from minor nullahs
is happening as there is no pumping facility at present.
However, we
ensure the water is treated before it is released.” MPCB has observed
that to the discharge from residential areas, green algae are developing
in Rankala lake.