Environmentalist to seek protection of birds before sea link construction in Charkop
According to the BMC, the project will permanently impact approximately 9,000 mangrove trees, with an additional 36,000 trees temporarily affected during construction.
Shetty claims that cuckoos, kingfishers, and the black winged kite are among the 150 species of birds that visit the 136 hectares of mangroves at Charkop and that the rare bittern bird too was spotted in 2019. Shetty is set to write to the BMC's tree department requesting to relocate the birds' nests before felling them, referring to the recent incident of the tree trimming drive in Thane that led to the destruction of nests, after which 45 herons died and 27 were rescued.
Shetty also plans to reach out to the BMC's R South office, requesting that a garden be set up underneath the interchange bridge upon the project's completion, featuring a walking track and seating arrangements for senior citizens.
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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Ganesha idols up to 6 feet must be immersed in artificial ponds, rules HC
MUMBAI: In a major step towards promoting environmentally responsible Ganeshotsav celebrations, the Bombay High Court on Thursday made it mandatory for all Ganesh idols—whether made of clay or Plaster of Paris (PoP)—measuring up to six feet in height to be immersed in artificial ponds provided by municipal corporations and local bodies across Maharashtra. Ganesha idols up to 6 feet must be immersed in artificial ponds, rules HC The order came a day after the state government informed the court that it had already made immersion in artificial tanks compulsory for idols up to five feet tall. Expanding the mandate, the bench of chief justice Alok Aradhe and justice Sandeep Marne observed, 'We have to make an endeavour that the impact of immersion of idols is bare minimum on the environment. Therefore, idols up to 6 feet should compulsorily be immersed in artificial tanks provided by local bodies.' The court also directed the state government to ensure its idol immersion policy is implemented 'in letter and spirit' and asked all civic authorities in Maharashtra to make appropriate arrangements to enforce the rule. The aforesaid guidelines of the state government for immersion of idols shall apply to all festivals wherein practice of immersion of idols is followed which are to be celebrated till March 2026. BMC flags scale of preparations, logistical challenges During the hearing, senior advocate Milind Sathe, representing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), told the court that 85,306 Ganesh idols measuring less than 5 feet were immersed in artificial ponds across Mumbai last year. With the new directive extending the rule to all idols up to six feet, the number of idols expected to be immersed in artificial tanks this year would rise to approximately 1,95,306—an increase of over 110,000. Sathe added that in 2023, 3,865 idols between 5 and 10 feet in height and 3,998 idols above 10 feet—many of them made of PoP—were immersed in natural water bodies. He pointed out that arranging for the immersion of larger idols in artificial ponds had presented significant logistical challenges in the past, and the new policy would require substantial infrastructural and administrative planning. Alongside the immersion mandate, the court asked the state to constitute an expert committee to explore eco-friendly methods to recycle PoP material. The committee will be expected to examine scientifically viable ways of dissolving PoP idols without harming the environment. The legal tussle over PoP continues The high court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Thane resident Rohit Joshi, seeking implementation of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)'s guidelines prohibiting both the manufacture and immersion of PoP idols. The PIL raised concerns about pollution in rivers, lakes, and other natural water bodies caused by immersion practices. In contrast, Ganesha idol makers and artisans challenged the CPCB ban, arguing that it threatened their right to livelihood and impacted traditional practices. Taking a balanced view, the court allowed the continued manufacture and sale of PoP idols but barred their immersion in natural water bodies without specific court permission. 'It will be open to the petitioners and artisans to make PoP idols. However, the same shall not be immersed in natural water bodies without the leave of the court,' the bench clarified. The question of whether PoP idols should be banned from natural water bodies has been under judicial scrutiny since 2003, when the NGO Janhit Manch filed a PIL on environmental grounds. This prompted the CPCB to issue guidelines in 2009, which were updated in 2020 to ban immersion of PoP idols in natural sources while stopping short of prohibiting their production. A new scientific proposal adds nuance In April this year, the Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission (RGSTC)—a statutory body under the Maharashtra government—submitted a report recommending the conditional use of PoP idols. Commissioned by Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, the report proposed that PoP idols painted with eco-friendly paints be allowed for immersion in large water bodies such as the sea and major rivers—provided these sites are far from drinking water sources and animal habitats. The report also recommended exploring 'retrievable immersion' methods that would allow PoP idols to be reused, thus minimising waste and damage to aquatic ecosystems.
News18
3 days ago
- News18
Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: BMC Launches Online Permit System For Mandals
Last Updated: With the digital method, Ganeshotsav mandal organisers will no longer need to make separate visits to local police stations or traffic departments to get no-objection certificates. Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Ganeshotsav, is among the most celebrated Hindu festivals in India, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom and prosperity. It's a 10-day festival, typically falling between August and September, marked by the installation of Ganesha idols in homes and public spaces, followed by prayers, cultural events, and culminating in a grand procession for immersion in water. This year, it will be celebrated on August 27 and will conclude with Ganesh Visarjan on September 6. With just a few days left for the popular festival, the preparations for huge Mandals are going on in full swing, especially in Maharashtra. This year, to speed up the procedure, the BMC began granting pavilion permits using a computerised single-window system on its official website: How to Apply? For the official permission, Mandals can visit the official portal, click on the Apply link under the For citizens section, and choose the Mandap (Public Ganeshotsav/Navratri/Other Festivals) option to begin their application. Benefit This indicates that the Ganeshotsav mandal organisers will no longer need to make separate visits to local police stations or traffic departments to get no-objection certificates (NOCs), as the BMC will handle this internally under the supervision of Assistant Commissioners and Zonal Deputy Commissioners. Taking the environment into consideration, the civic authority has ordered mandals to avoid digging roads and pathways when building pandals. Instead, they are encouraged to use pothole-free construction methods. If digging is found, the mandal will be charged restoration costs as well as a penalty per pothole. Also, they have been advised to install eco-friendly idols and use natural materials for decoration and displays. In addition to this, the Mumbai civic body has delivered 907 tonnes of Shadu clay to sculptors for free and provided 979 idol makers with temporary workspace. Also, it has spoken with the Divisional Commissioner of Konkan to ensure adequate supply of materials and support to artists in the region, from where numerous idols are transported to Mumbai for sale. Recently, Maharashtra declared Ganeshotsav as a State Festival or Rajya Utsav. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
BPIA writes to civic body on high mast light obstructing flights' path
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Biju Patnaik International Airport's (BPIA) authorities have drawn the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation's (BMC) attention to a high mast light in Jagamara that has been identified as an obstruction along flights' approach path. In a letter to BMC, airport officials stated that no one from the civic body obtained clearance (NOC) from them before installing the light. "There are some street electric poles (used and unused) and a high mast light along runway 14 (Baramunda side) which need to be shortened by at least five metres to clear the obstruction. Going by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Height Restrictions for Safeguarding of Aircraft Operations) Rules, 2015, it is necessary to remove or trim trees, light poles and buildings on the approach path of runways 14 and 32," BPIA's director Prasanna Pradhan stated in the letter, which was sent to BMC to July 11. " by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Speed up your Mac and free up storage with Space Lens MacPaw Read More Undo The safety inspection team at the airport identified the high mast light as an obstruction. Previously, a joint inspection team, which included representatives from the general administration department, Airports Authority of India, BMC, Bhubaneswar Development Authority and the revenue department, also found some obstructions and took pictures," airport director Prasanna Pradhan told TOI on Tuesday. Rakesh Sahoo, BMC junior engineer (electrical), said, 'Whether there was clearance for the pole to be erected along the landing path is under verification." We will consult with senior officers to determine the next course of action." BPIA has been emphasising the need to cut trees, demolish unauthorised buildings and trim tall trees on the land of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), in addition to addressing the high mast light issue. Earlier, BPIA authorities had sought BMC's help in cutting down three coconut trees of Nilakantheswar temple which had posed obstruction to a plane's approach. Last month in the aftermath of the Air India plane crash in Gujarat, the civic body cut down the trees.
