To

The Hon’ble Chief Minister,

Government of West Bengal

Nabanna

Sub: Feared environmental degradation and destruction of biodiversity at Rabindra Sarovar and Subhas Sarobar during  ensuing Chhat Festival

Respected Madam,

At the outset please accept our festive greetings.  You may be aware that Sabuj Mancha is the largest platform of organizations and individuals concerned for environment of the state, and has been consistently trying since 2009 to generate an informed and united voice regarding the critical environmental issues in the state, and share inputs and opinions to government for facilitating actions against range of environmental violations. .

We like to draw your kind attraction that Rabindra Sarovar, one of the most important National Water bodies and few of the rarest major patches of green and water left in the city, is under threat. You yourself raised the issues regarding Rabindra Sarobar in the past. Rabindra Sarovar plays a major role in maintaining ecological equilibrium in the city, particularly in its southern part, and has never been associated with practicing any religious or social rituals. However during last few years, the Sarovar has been severely affected environmentally; often in the name of culture and religion especially during Chhat Puja. We take this opportunity to remind that a committee involving primarily government officials and experts, set up under NGT order, highlighted the threat to Rabindra Sarobar and recommended the ban on such events in Rabindra Sarobar; based on which NGT passed the ‘ban Chhat puja’ order.

The Honorable High Court and National Green Tribunal have passed various orders to preserve the water body, greenery and the environment of this National Water Body. The NGT order passed by Hon’ble Judge S.P Wangdi and  Prof.(Dr.) P C Mishra on 15 Nov, 2017 strictly prohibited any Puja, Community Picnic or organization of other social events in and around the Rabindra Sarovar and appointed KMDA as the custodian of  the Lake.

According to the NGT order, CEO of KMDA convened a meeting on 20.09.2019 attended by Municipal Councilors, Police Authority, Bihar Nagarik Samaj and other stake holders including us. In that meeting on behalf of KMDA it was announced that NGT order of prohibition would have to be complied. It was assured that KMDA would arrange several alternative spots for performing Chhat Puja rituals for which posters and leaflets were issued in both Bengali and Hindi languages. Expenses were incurred for providing arrangements at the proposed water bodies including transport facility. Subsequently on 27.09.2019 an action taken report was submitted on behalf of KMDA, specifying that the arrangement has been made so that no Chhat Puja rituals would take place at Rabindra Sarovar.

But after all these important submissions, it was observed that on the date of Chhat Puja i.e.  2^nd Nov, few hooligans, despite the presence of police force, forcibly and illegally broke the gates of Rabindra Sarovar and entered in the Sarobar area; and led other devotees to enter. Many hundreds performed the rituals polluting the area and water, blatantly violating the NGT Orders.

This year the situation has worsened. KMDA itself went to NGT requesting allowance for Chhat Puja in Rabindra Sarobar; which was turned down by NGT.  In the meantime, based on a public petition, primarily considering Covid 19 situation; Calcutta High Court has also directed vide its order dated November 10, 2020 that “… As far as the Subhas Sarobar and Rabindra Sarobar are concerned, in view of the subsisting order of the NGT, these water bodies will be out of bounds for Chhath Puja celebrations.”

In spite of this, it is bizarre to note that Department of Environment circular dated 11 Nov 2020 (EN/1493O-44/2019) to relevant departments and officials, apparently to convey Calcutta High Court orders of Nov 5 and 10, 2020, conspicuously made no reference to blanket ban on Chhat in Rabindra Sarobar and Subhas Sarobar, as spelt out by Honble High Court and mentioned in earlier paragraph.  We strongly oppose the move, which we consider intentional and tantamount to misrepresentation of High Court order and demand that the same to be rectified at the earliest ; as otherwise it will only help to facilitate the violation in these two water bodies and adjunct green verges.

From media reports, we have come to know that the state has moved to Supreme Court for obtaining clearance for Chhat in Rabindra Sarobar ; the final order regarding which is yet to come. While we acknowledge State’s right to move to apex court; but it neither looks ethical nor proper for state to hold brief for pollution and not acknowledge environmental concerns as clearly stated by an expert committee primarily consisting  government  officials.

Madam, we feel worried that in spite of all the legal directives and admitted need to save both Rabindra Sarovar and Subhas Sarovar, Chaat Puja will take place in these areas violating judicial verdict like last year blatantly violating the court orders; and hence earnestly request you to take immediate steps to stop violation of the orders and prioritise environmental agendas which are key to survival of the city and its residents.

Best regards,

Naba Dutta

Secretary, Sabuj Mancha

Copy to :

1. Mr. Firhad Hakim, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Urban Development & Municipal Affairs Department for information and taking necessary action.
2. Mr. Niraj Singhal, Chief Environment Officer, Deparment of Environment, Govt. of West Bengal.

 Copy of the original letter under formal letterhead is enclosed.

Naba Dutta,

Secretary, Sabuj Mancha

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The post Feared environmental degradation and destruction of biodiversity at Rabindra Sarovar and Subhas Sarobar during ensuing Chhat Festival appeared first on Nagarik Mancha.

Smt Mamata Banerjee
Hon’ble Chief Minister
Govt. of West Bengal
Nabanna, Howrah

Sub: Appeal for issuing circular banning all sorts of fireworks to minimise the impact of air pollution as per the order of Kolkata High Court, as well as banning DJ, loudspeakers and equipment creating noise pollution.

Respected Madam,

Please accept our heartiest festive greetings from Sabuj Mancha the platform of environment organisations and individuals keen to safeguard environment across the state.

You are aware that bursting, purchase and sale of all kinds of fireworks, has been banned by the High Court vide order dated 5.11.20. The order is to be effective not only for Kali Puja and Diwli but also for Chhat Puja, Jagaddhatri Puja and Guru Nanak’s BirthDay. The High Court has also issued an order on 10.11.20 banning DJ and other equipment, which create sound pollution. The Supreme Court also has ratified the High Court order.

Environmentalists and doctors have long been demanding the complete ban on bursting of all fireworks particularly in view of the Covid condition in state, and post High Court order, we expect the state to execute the same in totality. But we are astonished and aggrieved that neither the Department of Environment nor the State Pollution Control Board nor any appropriate department or state agency has issued so far any circular for implementation of the High Cout Order. While NGT clearly acknowledged that as per the High Court order, complete ban on fireworks stands in entire West Bengal, it is unfortunate that as per media report, the Minister-in-Charge of Environment Department had expressed opinion in favour of providing relaxation to the eco-friendly fireworks. While we do not know the reliability of such reports, we feel such incidents only add to the confusion. We hereby, strongly oppose any such initiative, if considered, and demand clear government message about the blanket ban on all kinds of fireworks throughout the state in conformity to Kolkata high court order.

We, hence, request you to kindly issue immediate instruction to all concerned that the High Court orders are strictly followed and oblige.

Like every year we will undertake our independent civil society monitoring during the Kalipuja, Diwali evenings and would like to extend all kinds of support to your government in its effort to prohibit all sorts of fireworks, fire crackers, DJ etc as per high court order.

Yours sincerely,

Best regards,
Naba Dutta, Secretary, Sabuj Mancha

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As a nationwide lockdown was implemented by the Government within hours of the spreading virus, an overwhelming crisis swept the nation at large but mostly impacted the ones that lack the comfort of a roof or enough food. An exodus of hundreds of migrant laborers undertaking the long journey back home was demonstrated overturning the authentic intention behind the lockdown. This heart wrenching situation arose where thousands of old people, gravid women and children were left to pick up their sticks and march back home. This clearly exposes the lack of a functioning contingency plan, far-foresightedness of the Government. The overnight decision and the frantic imposition of sealed inter-state borders provided no way for these migrant workers to seek shelter.

The legal infrastructure pertaining to the occupational health and safety has been roughly sketched leaving multiple loopholes and lacuna. Therefore, the rise in injury or deaths of these workers does not come as a shock. Needless to emphasize on the callous attitude of the policy makers regarding the workers and lack of ready appropriate measures that could have combat the situation immediately.

Indian Construction sites has seen about 1092 deaths and 377 injured workers in between 2013-2016.The 1993 ban imposed on manual scavenging has been highly disregarded as, about 20,500 people were still identified as scavengers in 2018. It has been reported that a sanitation worker dies in India every 5 days, so how do we reserve faith in our Government that fails to provide preventive care and protection to 80% of the population? Unfortunately, no alarm goes or voices scream in agony against the constant human Rights violation against these workers, or do we not consider them as first class citizens?

The country has been raining with the unfortunate death of about 34 people of Tamil Nadu in 2012 and in 2015, 11 people of West Bengal, Midnapur in a fireworks factory. Whereas, On 8th December, 2019 about 43 sleeping workers in Delhi were killed due to suffocation and smoke as a result of unprecedented fire in a four stories construction building as it had only one entry and exit point. In 2019, 3 people were declared dead in West Bengal in a rice mill, due to the unprecedented collapse of a building. These are a handful of cases that demonstrate the inadequacy in providing a safe haven for these people. About 48,000 workers die every year in Britain as stated by the ILO where India has 20 times more deaths as compared. It is absolutely unacceptable that only 20% of the Indian work force is covered under health benefits and protection from hazards within the legal framework. Due to silicosis there are about more than 4 millions of people are in death bed in India, most of them are working in ordnance factories, stone crashing, construction and building activities and pencil factories.

India has yet not ratified the International Conventions of Protocols of 2002 Occupation Safety and Health Convention 1981, Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985, Safety and Health in Mines Convention and many other which also speak volumes about the consciousness and attitude of the Indian Government and Policy makers.

Indian laws on Occupational health care has been covered as mere humane conditions of work to be provided to workers under Article 42 of the Indian Constitution. The Factories Act, 1948 and the Mines Act, 1952 are the only two legislations out of 16 legislation reserved for workers that provides legal measures to protect the health and safety of the workers. Despite of the active Health institutions like, National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), Two Regional Occupational Health Centres (ROHCs) in Bangalore and Calcutta and The National Safety Council of India (NSCI), the rate of fatalities does not seem to curb or even slow down.

We the undersigned strongly condemning all human rights violation and on this very day, 28th April, 2020 we would like to raise our voices against this unfortunate state of our Country. We believe the time has come to take steps to make effective amendment, ratification and implementation of a wholesome and comprehensive legal framework that encompasses workers of all industries and strata. The health policies are redundant and need a more modern approach and urgent amendments in the National policy on safety, health and environment at workplaces (2019) with a complete 5 year review demands urgent attention. Today as we remember and honor the lives of these workers who’ve met their ill fate busy building a strong foothold for us to stand, the least we can do is to give them an unbreakable roof and ensure preventive care for the years to come. By 2030 India government had to show that human rights and effective governance based on rule of law has been established (MDG-Goal 16). Those dead workers did not get justice till date. Now deads want justice.

Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samiti

PVCHR, Uttar Pradesh

Nagarik Mancha, West Bengal

People’s Watch, Tamilnadu

Bytes For All, Pakistan

Anastasia Pinto – Goa, concerned citizen

Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM)

—
Kirity Roy
Secretary
Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha
(MASUM)
&
National Convenor (PACTI)
Programme Against Custodial Torture & Impunity
40A, Barabagan Lane (4th Floor)
Balaji Place
Shibtala
Srirampur
Hooghly
PIN- 712203
Tele-Fax – +91-33-26220843
Phone- +91-33-26220845
Mobile (0) 9903099699
e. mail : kirityroy@gmail.com
Web: www.masum.org.in

The post International Worker’s Memorial Day Statement – Deads want justice In the memory of the ones that lost their lives making the country better! appeared first on Nagarik Mancha.

২৭ নভেম্বর ২০১৯, বিকাল ৪ টায় দেশপ্রিয় পার্কের লায়নস্‌ ক্লাবের হল (পশ্চিম দিকের গেট) 

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Dear Members and Supporters,

Sub: Sabuj Mancha and Concern for Calcutta in association with Rabindra Sarovar morning walkers will hold a meeting on  

Environmental abuse and violation of NGT orders at Rabindra Sarovar

It is a matter of great concerns that Rabindra Sarovar the National Water Body is under threat. The Lake water is being polluted by plastic, flowers and garbage throughout the year and especially during festival. Littering of waste in the parks and prohibitted activities are continued. Hooliganism of some miscreants is causing threat to the walkers and visitors.

The Honorable High Court and National Green Tribunal have passed various orders instructing the authority to take suitable steps to protect and preserve the water, greenery and environment of the National Park. But nothing sustainable has been done.

A joint meeting of the members, supporters, citizens and Rabindra Sarovar’s walkers will be held at Press Club of Calcutta on 3.9.2019 from 2 PM to 3 PM to discuss future course of joint action on such environmental abuse and antisocial activities in Rabindra Sarovar. The meeting will be followed by a Press Conference from 3 PM to 4 PM at the same venue

We request you to please attend the meeting.

Naba Dutta

Secretary, Sabuj Mancha

9831172060 (M)

Pawan Paharia

President, Concern for Calcutta

9830053522 (M)

The post Meeting on Environmental abuse and violation of NGT orders at Rabindra Sarovar appeared first on Nagarik Mancha.

Citizens’ Meet against Plastic and Sound Pollution

       (Lion’s Club Hall, Deshapriyo Park, Sarat Basu Road,)

1^st October, 2018, Monday, 5 PM to 7.30 PM

Dear friends,

Please accept our heartiest festive greetings. You may be aware that Sabuj Mancha, a platform of organizations and individuals concerned for environment of West Bengal, has been playing an active role in highlighting critical environmental issues of the state of West Bengal in public domain. It is also acting as a pressure group. Since long,  we are raising the issue of waste management especially plastic waste management in our state. We also have been trying to stop sound pollution which is causing severe harm to human health and environment.

Especially during the Festival Days a huge amount of plastic waste is generated surrounding the puja pandals.  These are all one time used plastic products, mostly used for carrying, eating and packaging. Problems associated with so much plastic waste in environment is more or less known to everybody. Still such waste is generated flouting the Rules and all the norms regarding plastic waste management. Most of such waste remain littered on the streets for a long time and then collected by Corporation / municipality sweepers only to send to the dump sites.  Authorities and puja organisers may take up the issue, motivate / compel the stall owners surrounding their puja pandals to stop using disposable plastic items like plastic carry bags, poly cups, thermocol plates and similar items and also put adequate number of bins for collection of any other waste generated near their stalls. Waste pickers may be engaged to work  in hygienic condition and use those waste for recycling.

During festival days, sound pollution becomes another menace. Noise generated from firecrackers and DJ sound boxes becomes terribly unbearable.  Till date several persons lost their lives and several others were brutally manhandled and assaulted by miscreants while they protested illegal firecracker bursting. There was clear order of Kolkata Bench of National Green Tribunal dated 16.10.15 for closure of all unlicensed fire cracker units in the state. Only three such units in West Bengal have valid license of Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO). NGT also made comment that these illegal units are producing ammunition which are being used by antisocial elements and terrorists. Unfortunately, during these three years, there is no report of closure of any illegal unit. On the contrary there is a move by the authority to legalize some of the units in the name of clustering of the units and providing training of the workers. Sabuj Mancha is opposed to any such move as storing of ingredients and fireworks require license from PESO and other competent authorities and the existing units, mostly running in residential areas, without having any infrastructural facility cannot comply with the requirements. We are again demanding to the authorities to implement the NGT order and to ensure stop production, sale and use of any illegal fire cracker. We would also demand that the already existing norms regarding sound pollution, set by the WBPCB should be strictly implemented.    

 In this context, we request the citizens especially the clubs, the housing societies, puja organizers etc. to take pledge that generation and littering of plastic waste surrounding puja pandals will be stopped, adequate bins will be placed to properly utilize waste, sound limit will be maintained as per norms and illegal firecrackers will not be used. We hope this may motivate other sections of the society who are still engaged in violating the noise pollution norms to rectify their bad practice.   

In view of the above, we have organized a Citizens’ Meet on sound pollution at Lion’s Club Hall, Deshapriyo Park, Sarat Basu Road, on 1^st October 2018, Monday, from 5 PM to 7.30 PM.

You are cordially invited to participate in the Meet and support the move to implement noise pollution norms

With Regards

Naba Dutta
Secretary

          Program Coordinators: Dr. Biplab Basu ( 9831636817), Manindra Mukherjee (9635912049)

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You must be aware that a team of dedicated environment activists are conducting a Long March to save environment and nature from the hills of North Bengal towards Sagardwip at the extreme south of West Bengal since 19^th February 2018. During their journey, they have collected huge information regarding environmental abuses and peoples’ resistance to protect natural resources. On their way to Sagar, they will touch Kolkata on 20^th March. Sabuj Manch will greet them in a meeting in Press Club of Kolkata to be held from, 1 PM to 3 PM. In course of experience sharing of the team, the meeting will address all the political parties to consider environment as an important agenda in ensuing panchayet election.

You are request to please take part in the meeting and ensure your active participation.

Naba Dutta
Secretary, Sabuj Mancha

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