The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) has issued a directive to the Calcutta Entertainment Club Foundation (CECF), a celebrity-led firm, to halt all night-time construction activities at Rabindra Sarobar. This order comes in response to growing environmental concerns raised by local activists and morning walkers regarding the ongoing development of a 5-bigha land parcel into a celebrity cricket ground.
The KMDA, custodians of Rabindra Sarobar, delivered verbal instructions to CECF on Monday to cease nocturnal work. The company had been using a JCB machine, equipped with powerful lights and producing significant noise, to carry out the development since the previous week. The activities had sparked protests from environmentalists, who argued that the night-time construction was detrimental to the green zone, a national lake known for its rich biodiversity. In May, the KMDA’s decision to lease the land to CECF had already met with opposition from morning walkers, environmental activists, and bird watchers. The disputed land is located on the left side of the lake, accessible through gate number 8, near the Lake Gardens flyover. Environmentalists raised alarms, submitting complaints supported by incriminating videos and photographs to both the police and the KMDA. They argued that the intense lights and loud machinery were disrupting the habitat of trees, birds, and other wildlife in the area.
A senior KMDA official stated, “We have received complaints of environmental violations due to the night-time work. Prima facie, it seems the activities might have impacted the green zone. Therefore, we have instructed the company to stop work from tonight.” Environmentalists remain vocal about the issue, an environmental activist and regular morning walker at the lake, described the situation as “murdering the green lungs of south Kolkata.” In his complaint to the Rabindra Sarobar police station, he highlighted the use of diesel-operated heavy construction equipment at night, which he claims led to “tree cutting and lush green land destruction.” The KMDA’s swift response to these concerns underscores the importance of balancing developmental activities with environmental preservation. The halt in night-time work at Rabindra Sarobar serves as a reminder of the need for sustainable practices, especially in areas designated as green zones. This decision also reflects the growing influence of community activism in protecting urban biodiversity.
