KOLKATA: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s vocal condemnation of the widespread filling of water bodies for construction purposes has garnered praise from environmentalists, who warn of dire ecological consequences for the city. Addressing the issue on Monday, Banerjee highlighted the detrimental impact on Kolkata’s environment, ecology, and susceptibility to climate change due to the unabated encroachment on ponds.
The Mayor’s office has been inundated with complaints, particularly from KMC-added areas such as Behala, Joka, Garden Reach, and locales along the E M Bypass. Reports indicate that over 8,000 water bodies exist within the city limits, with approximately 75% located in these expanded KMC wards (101 to 144). Concerns have mounted as these vital reservoirs are increasingly filled with debris by unscrupulous developers, exploiting lax regulatory oversight and financial incentives.
“A disturbing trend is emerging where local ponds are being polluted with garbage, paving the way for subsequent filling with construction debris,” noted a senior KMC official. This practice not only diminishes water resources but also disrupts local ecosystems, exacerbating urban heat island effects by eliminating crucial cooling mechanisms.
According to studies conducted by IIEST, the total area of water bodies across Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA), encompassing South and North 24 Parganas, Nadia, Howrah, and Hooghly districts, has shrunk significantly from 195.6 sq km in 2003 to 103.8 sq km in 2023. “This alarming reduction of nearly 100 sq km in just two decades threatens our water security and exacerbates environmental vulnerabilities,” cautioned an environmental activist.
Moreover, the disappearance of these water bodies poses practical challenges, such as reduced firefighting capabilities and heightened local temperatures due to the loss of natural cooling effects. Ecologist Raja Chatterjee highlighted the complicity of local councillors in these environmental violations, citing instances where rapid pond filling occurs overnight without adequate official response to complaints.
As stakeholders advocate for stricter enforcement and proactive conservation measures, the issue of pond encroachment in Kolkata remains a focal point of contention between developmental imperatives and environmental sustainability. The CM’s stance underscores a critical juncture in balancing urban growth with the preservation of natural resources essential for the city’s long-term resilience and livability.
