Locals miffed by debris dumping at Pandavkada falls

NAVIMUMBAI: Hugeamountofconstructionanddemolitiondebrisis beingdumpedregularlynearthe popularPandavkadawaterfallat Kharghar’ssector20.Localshave raisedthedumpingissuewiththe CityandIndustrialDevelopment Corporation (Cidco).

Pramod Patil, nodal officer, environment, Cidco, said, “We havereceivedcomplaintsregarding debris dumped at Pandavkada and will take action on priority.Wewillensurethatthearea isguardedandnofurtherdumping takes place.”

Nearbyresidentsandenvironmentalist allege that debris dumpingingreenareashasbeen rampantandthedevelopingbody has failed in guarding the green spaces from illegal debris dumping.

“A lot of construction activity has been happening in and around Sector 20 in Kharghar. Rather than scientifically treating the debris, they choose to dumpthemintheopen.Also,the developingbody[Cidco]doesnot monitor these activities,” said Satish Apte, 45, a Kharghar resident.

TheiconicPandavkadawaterfallinsatellitecityisahugetouristattraction.PeoplefromThane, Mumbaiandotherareasvisitthis scenic place, especially during monsoon.

“This green zone has been the only peaceful place where we spend some quality time with friendsandfamily. Butnow,this too has fallen prey to debris dumping,”saidAmitNagpal,45a Kharghar resident.

Frequentcasesofconstruction and destruction debris dumping in green areas have brought to light the sorry state of affairs of disposal of such debris.

“Thecivicanddevelopingbodieswhogiveclearancetodevelopment projects need to be more carefulabouthandlingconstruction waste so that they don’t end up in our ecosystem,” said Avinash Jadhav, an activist.

Waste generated from constructionanddemolitionofbuildings and civil infrastructure include bricks, rocks, concrete, wood, plumbing fixtures and glass. “Essentially, all these are 100% recyclable,” said Sandeep Thakur, an urban planner from the city.

While dumping menace near Pandavkada was noticed recently, it had been rampant at the driving range, which only stopped after alert residents started guarding the area.

Regular cleanliness drives were also conducted to keep the debris dumping menace at bay.

“Wehavebeenconductingregular cleanliness drive in and aroundthedrivingrange.Thisis a deterrent for the culprits. It seems we need to take the same measureforPandavkadawaterfall.Wewillconductacleanliness drive there soon,” said Saurabh Pant, 35, a Kharghar resident.

The construction and destruction debris dumped near Pandavkada waterfall at Kharghar’s Sector 20. BACHCHAN KUMAR/HT