Kolkata: Those living near Jadavpur's Bikramgarh Jheel have urgently requested the state and KMC to protect the water body, south Kolkata's second-largest after Rabindra Sarobar, before its condition deteriorates.
The jheel is almost entirely obscured by water hyacinth, with only a tiny section visible at the south-western edge. This vegetation cover has enabled opportunistic individuals to quietly encroach up on the water body by depositing building waste and other materials. A visit revealed two locations along the southern periphery of Bikramgarh jheel where waste materials have been used to claim sections of the water body. Construction of a three-storey building is ongoing at the north-eastern corner on land previously part of the jheel.
"Even the house behind the building under construction was developed on land claimed from the water body. So are several houses that came up in the past three-four decades. Back then, environmental consciousness was low. Hundreds of ponds disappeared in Behala, Kasba, and other areas as well. But we became more aware in the past 20-25 years. Yet, the assault on Bikramgarh continues," said a youth who, along with others, is trying to drum up support for the conservation of the water body.
Residents said 40% of the jheel has been lost. "The lake was the pride of the neighbourhood and a favourite pit stop for migratory birds. Now, it is a picture of neglect with land sharks eyeing the rest," said Arjan Basu Roy of Nature Mates, which maintains Santragachhi Jheel.
Many are puzzled by KMC's delay in beginning the renovation announced in Dec when a Golf Green councillor questioned the water body's status and its encroachment issues, enquiring about KMC's restoration timeline.
KMC environment department's MMiC Swapan Samaddar said the jheel measures 29,840 sq m with a 1,789 m circumference. He confirmed receiving the initial funds of Rs 1.5 crore for restoration. In 2015, CM Mamata Banerjee took interest in the jheel's restoration following residents' appeals, including support from Bhumi's lead singer Soumitra Roy. She proposed a Rs 7.8 crore AMRUT scheme project to restore and beautify it. According to the MMiC, KMC got Rs 3.5 crore from the Centre. After spending Rs 1.4 crore on various works, including bank reinforcement with saal logs, the project stopped unexpectedly.
Former borough X chairman and current councillor, Tapan Dasgupta said,"The funds are there. All that is required is some initiative."
"Persistent neglect by the civic body and greed of local builders has seen 6 acres carved out of the 14 acre jheel," said Biswajit Dey, a local.
"We thought demarcation of the lake by planting of the saal logs would prevent further encroachment. But it has gained steam," said Dipak Bhattacharjee, who was secretary of the erstwhile Save-the-Jheel Committee.
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