This Ganesh festival, more than half of all immersions in Thane are in artificial ponds

THANE: Residents from the lake city seem to have given a thumbs up to the civic body’s request to use artificial ponds to immerse Ganesh idols during the 10-day festival. Out of 45,000 idols, over 27,000 were immersed so far. This means, nearly 55% idols were immersed at these makeshift ponds. However, environment activists are raising questions on whether the TMC will be adopting an eco-friendly way to dispose of the water stored in these artificial ponds.

As per practice, the TMC drains the water from these ponds after the 10th day

immersion

. The water is usually drained into creeks. This has drawn the attention of several activists.

A report which the TMC’s pollution control department issues every year reveals that the water is contaminated and has a lot of impurities, including lead, plaster of Paris and other harmful chemicals.

There are around nine artificial ponds in the city that generate a notable volume of water, which is eventually drained out in the creek. This can affect the marine life living here. The administration has been propagating the use of artificial ponds to ensure that the marine life in lakes aren’t affected. But activists have raised questions over this practice as they feel that the TMC is doing just the same.

“The TMC expects the common man to follow norms and ensure that the lakes and water bodies are not polluted. This is a good move but the civic body should also show equal responsibility in ensuring that the contaminated water from the artificial ponds is not discharged in these water bodies. The TMC must ensure that the contaminated water is treated properly so that it does not affect marine life,” said an environment activist.

Meanwhile, activists’ have suggested that instead of discharging the treated water into lakes and creeks, the TMC can instead use this for civic purposes or to water the plans along the road medians.

“It is a good sign that people are adopting eco-friendly ways. The water generated from these ponds can be sent to effluent treatment plants and they can be reused for any other purpose like industrial cooling or even watering the foliage in public spaces,” said activist Vidyadhar Walawalkar.

Meanwhile, the corporation claimed that it has been undertaking adequate purification process and has been ensuring that the level of contamination is less before transferring the water back into the creek or lakes.

It is a good sign that people are adopting eco-friendly ways. The water generated from these ponds can be sent to effluent treatment plants and they can be reused for any other purpose like industrial cooling or even watering the foliage in public spaces


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