Human violation of the Godavari is so much that a plea has been filed in HC to bring it back to its earlier glory
What begins as a story of the blessing of Lord Shiva, Godavari originates from Bramhagiri mountain in Trimbaksehwar and flows through Nashik, making it a holy place of pilgrimage and the seat of Simhastha Kumbhmela. However, the modern day Godavari is much less than a river. With population around it increasing day by day, the river has not only lost its charm but is losing its life as well.
It was in 2012 that once again the river was completely covered with hyacinths, disturbing its eco system. A few people stood up to raise a movement for the cause of Godavari. Godavari Gatarikaran Virodhi Manch was formed and activists approached authorities demanding that untreated sewage released in the river be stopped. With no heed paid, a public interest litigation (PIL) to save Godavari was filed by Rajesh Pandit, Nishikant Pagare and a few others in the Bombay High Court.
"A criminal case about mischief with navigable river was filed under IPC section 431 against the then municipal commissioner for intentionally polluting the river upstream of Ramkund", states Rajesh Pandit. In the hearings that proceeded, the High Court observed that the state and the citizens both were responsible. While the state has failed to protect the river, the citizens have failed to perform their fundamental duties.
As part of the proceedings the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board reported that 'the water of Godavari in Nashik is unfit for human consumption and dangerous to health'. The High Court then asked NMC to put up boards on the banks of the river stating so and give police protection to the river. "This had happened for the first time in the history of Indian rivers that any river was asked to give police protection. However, barring the kumbhmela, the compliance of this order is not met', Pandit observes.
As part of the awareness drive, students took oath for not polluting the river. Presentations on pollution free Godavari were made at different platforms. The National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI) who was asked to conduct a survey by the court also gave a thought of Green Kumbh for 2014-15. Taking the developments seriously, the court appointed a committee for Godavari, headed by the divisional commissioner, to oversee the implementation of it's orders.
The divisional commissioner formed a committee for Green Kumbh, including all departments of the government and NGOS. The CM then announced that the Kumbhmela would be dedicated to nature. With a charged force, the huge task of cleaning the Godavari was taken up on June 5, 2014. Thousands, participated in the massive drive where even senior authorities were seen cleaning the dirt and slush. Lakhs of cloth bags were distributed to create awareness of no plastic use. "The movement was also strengthened by water man of India Rajendra Singh who helped in changing the perspective of the fight to a movement", states Pandit.
Another activist Devang Jani filed a case in the High Court demanding that the concretisation done to the Godavari in Nashik during the Kumbhmela in 2002 be removed. "It was for the first time in the history of the river that in May 2016, the Ramkund went dry due to concretisation of the river bed," he said. With all the awareness and the legal fight that has been going on there have been some gains. These may not be sufficient measures but the fact that a movement is raised in itself is a step in the right direction.
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