NMMC's initiative to encourage immersion of Ganesh idols in the three artificial ponds erected this year at Kopri, Vashi and Shiravane is a welcome move. The efforts taken by the civic officials for the environmental-friendly initiative need to be appreciated. The encouraging response is very evident from figures released by the NMMC of immersion in these artificial ponds. In order to encourage such switch over, NMMC has rightly located the artificial ponds close to the existing traditional immersion ponds.
It was in last year that the civic body made a small beginning on a trial basis in this environmental-friendly direction by erecting a sole artificial pond at Kopri. The basic idea behind the initiative is to preserve natural lakes and ponds and prevent environmental degradation. NMMC should also appeal to the public through media to patronise the artificial ponds in large numbers to make the initiative a bigger success.
Tradition-bound villagers and even city folk may not switch over to the new set-up immediately. But, the progressive and educated people concerned about the environment have welcomed the option and preferred the same. The encouraging response has shown that the trend is catching up. It is worthy to note that the political class has supported the cause.
NMMC should be congratulated to encourage and facilitate smooth immersion at the civic artificial ponds. It has put lifeguards on duty. We understand that after the immersions are over, civic body has to collect the idols and transport the same to immerse them deep in the creek waters. But, they should take utmost care to observe religious sentiment and sanctity, while doing so.
Traditional ponds are at the heart of village community life. So being the main stakeholders, they will be at the receiving end of the mercy of the environmental degradation of these water bodies.
Year-after-year, NMMC entails heavy expenditure to clean the traditional village ponds, which get polluted as well as choked due to idol immersions. All such needless civic expenditure as well as environmental degradation is very much avertable, if people switch over to artificial ponds for idol immersion.
The announcement by civic engineer that NMMC will set up such artificial ponds in all nodes of Navi Mumbai next year should be welcomed whole-hearted and people should support the initiative taken by the NMMC with their cooperation in the larger interest of the environmental cause.
It was in last year that the civic body made a small beginning on a trial basis in this environmental-friendly direction by erecting a sole artificial pond at Kopri. The basic idea behind the initiative is to preserve natural lakes and ponds and prevent environmental degradation. NMMC should also appeal to the public through media to patronise the artificial ponds in large numbers to make the initiative a bigger success.
Tradition-bound villagers and even city folk may not switch over to the new set-up immediately. But, the progressive and educated people concerned about the environment have welcomed the option and preferred the same. The encouraging response has shown that the trend is catching up. It is worthy to note that the political class has supported the cause.
NMMC should be congratulated to encourage and facilitate smooth immersion at the civic artificial ponds. It has put lifeguards on duty. We understand that after the immersions are over, civic body has to collect the idols and transport the same to immerse them deep in the creek waters. But, they should take utmost care to observe religious sentiment and sanctity, while doing so.
Traditional ponds are at the heart of village community life. So being the main stakeholders, they will be at the receiving end of the mercy of the environmental degradation of these water bodies.
Year-after-year, NMMC entails heavy expenditure to clean the traditional village ponds, which get polluted as well as choked due to idol immersions. All such needless civic expenditure as well as environmental degradation is very much avertable, if people switch over to artificial ponds for idol immersion.
The announcement by civic engineer that NMMC will set up such artificial ponds in all nodes of Navi Mumbai next year should be welcomed whole-hearted and people should support the initiative taken by the NMMC with their cooperation in the larger interest of the environmental cause.
No comments:
Post a Comment