‘Pavana water deteriorates after entering Pune’

About 100 volunteers from Pimpri-Chinchwad and Maval taluka participated in the Pavana Jaldindi, which began on Sunday. They travel by boat from the source of the Pavana river and reach Chinchwad on the third day.  The aim is to spread awareness about the importance of cleaning the Pavana. Last year, a similar exercise was undertaken on an experimental basis. It proved to a success and is being organised on a larger scale this year. The executive engineer of the water supply department of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Pravin Ladkat, is taking part in the Jaldindi. He spoke to DNA about the event and his experiences.

Can you explain the journey covered by the Pavana Jaldindi?
It is a three-day journey by boat, starting on Sunday morning at Gehunje Apti Gaon, Pavana Mandir, the source of the river, and ends at Pavana river pumping station on the third day. Several organisations and villagers organise the event. For the last 16 years, they have been organising the Pavana Utsav to seek the blessings of the river and keep it clean. Last year, we started the Jaldindi on an experimental basis.

This year, it is being organised in a better manner. Organisations like Jaldindi Pratishthan, Jnanaprabodhini Vidyalaya in Nigdi, Omkar Engineering, The Institution of Engineers, Senior Citizens’ Club of Pradhikaran, Mayureshwar Mitra Mandal, Renbo Rainwater Harvesting, Aavartan and villagers residing along the Pavana river banks, Priyadarshani Social Group, Jhulelal Mandir Trust, Nadi Vikas Manch, Rotary Club of Pimpri, Dnyandeep School in Nigdi and Bhavsar Vision have taken the initiative to organise the Pavana Jaldindi.

What is the aim of the Pavana Jaldindi? What was your experience last year?
We were surprised to see the difference in the quality of water when we started our journey at the source, and when we reached Chinchwad on completing the journey. The water at the beginning of the journey is so clean you can drink it without second thoughts. But gradually, as the river enters the city, the quality of the water deteriorates, obviously due to pollution. It is sad to see this change.

There is a need to keep the river clean. It is our duty to make the next generation aware of the importance of cleaning the river. This is the sole aim of organising the Pavana Jaldindi. It is the people who can keep the river water either clean or dirty. We must all be responsible for keeping the river free of pollution.

What is the age group of the people who join the Jaldindi?
There is no specific age requirement to join the Jaldindi. Last year, we had participants from 14 to 60 years, including many women. This year there was an overwhelming response from people from different age groups. I am confident the number of participants will swell with each passing year.