Awareness drive in Pune to save river Bhima from August 21

Jal Biradari, an NGO, has planned a three-day river cleaning and awareness campaign in order to protect Bhima river and the lives of residents around the Ujani reservoir in Satara from August 21. A member of the NGO, Sunil Joshi, told reporters on Tuesday that the organisation has been working to bring down the rising water pollution.

“The Ujani reservoir in Satara district is under threat due to the daily release of 700 million litres of untreated sewage water and industrial effluents from Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad into the Bhima river,” Joshi claimed.

According to him, a discussion would also take place on the issue after the three-day campaign wherein renowned water conservationist and Magsaysay award winner Rajendra Singh would address the gathering. Singh would talk on how water bodies could be kept pollution-free.

Former chief of Central Pollution Control Board, Paritosh Tyagi, and environmentalist Arun Tiwari will also address the gathering.

The Ujani dam, built on Bhima river, is about 160 km from Pune. The Mula, Mutha, Pavana and Indrayani rivers that pass through Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad areas join the Bhima river.

Joshi said that the NGO has organised an award function to recognise the contribution of women for protecting different water bodies. Four women from the city will be felicitated with the Neer Nadi Naari Sanman award at the hands of Singh for their work for preserving Ram Nadi, Ambil Odha, Kothrud nala.