Brief reporting on Sonai River/Khal in ... - India Water Portal
Brief reporting on Sonai River/Khal in ... - India Water Portal
Brief reporting on Sonai River/Khal in ... - India Water Portal
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<str<strong>on</strong>g>Brief</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>report<strong>in</strong>g</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>River</strong>/<strong>Khal</strong> <strong>in</strong> Barrackpore Sub-Divisi<strong>on</strong> of North 24-Parganas District, West<br />
Bengal<br />
1 Orig<strong>in</strong>ated from : The river S<strong>on</strong>ai orig<strong>in</strong>ated from Koirapur of Ichapur, North 24-<br />
Parganas, which is c<strong>on</strong>nected with river Ganga Ref : Survey of<br />
<strong>India</strong> records and Map No. 79 B/5 (with the Central head<strong>in</strong>g<br />
“Chandannagar” surveyed <strong>in</strong> 1918 – 1919, 1920 – 1921<br />
published <strong>in</strong> 1922 and 1933.<br />
The <strong>River</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai is a tributary of the river Ganga, which passes<br />
through half length of Barrackpore Sub-Divisi<strong>on</strong> from west to<br />
east. The river has lost its rejuvenat<strong>in</strong>g capacity.<br />
It is worthwhile to menti<strong>on</strong> here that a topographical map of<br />
Panihati Municipality (Draw<strong>in</strong>g No. 999/PM/0024) prepared <strong>in</strong><br />
1976, as menti<strong>on</strong>ed by CMDA, shows a series of water bodies<br />
number<strong>in</strong>g fifty six (56) <strong>in</strong> all (all situated <strong>in</strong> Ward Nos. 27, 28,<br />
19, 18, 16 and 17) between Ghola Bazar and Khardah Canal<br />
al<strong>on</strong>g the now ext<strong>in</strong>ct course of Rivger S<strong>on</strong>ai. Aga<strong>in</strong>, a land use<br />
map prepared by CMDA <strong>in</strong> 1991 bear<strong>in</strong>g No. 307/PLU-<br />
1991/III/PNH-3 for Panihati Municipality shows the same series<br />
of water bodies number<strong>in</strong>g forty five (45) (al<strong>on</strong>g the l<strong>in</strong>e as<br />
shown <strong>in</strong> the above topographical map). That is <strong>in</strong> all eleven<br />
(11) water bodies have disappeared altogether with<strong>in</strong> a span of<br />
fifteen (15) years. Without tacit c<strong>on</strong>sent <strong>on</strong> the part of the<br />
Municipal authority it could not have happened.<br />
Unauthorized reclamati<strong>on</strong> of land by dump<strong>in</strong>g fly ash and other<br />
garbage <strong>in</strong>to the water bodies <strong>in</strong> the above “series” is just <strong>on</strong>e<br />
<strong>in</strong> the l<strong>on</strong>g list of similar <strong>on</strong>slaughts, and the motive beh<strong>in</strong>d it is<br />
the same – real estate <strong>in</strong>terest. The agency which is supposed<br />
to act as a watchdog to prevent the ecofatal efforts by the land<br />
sharks, itself becomes a party to the said unlawful activities,<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cerned citizens have no other alternative but to approach<br />
for legal redress and accord<strong>in</strong>gly petiti<strong>on</strong>ed before the<br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Bench of Calcutta High Court <strong>in</strong> 1997.<br />
2 Term<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g : Bagjola <strong>Khal</strong><br />
3 Route : The follow<strong>in</strong>g documents adequately prove that S<strong>on</strong>ai is a<br />
pen<strong>in</strong>sular river which passes through half length of the<br />
Barrackpore Sub-Divisi<strong>on</strong> i.e., from Ichapur to Bagjola <strong>Khal</strong>.<br />
S<strong>on</strong>ai, <strong>on</strong>e of the most significant rivers of North 24-Parganas,<br />
after orig<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g from Barti Bil <strong>in</strong> North 24-Parganas traverses<br />
35 kms before it jo<strong>in</strong>s the Bagjola <strong>Khal</strong> which ultimately<br />
term<strong>in</strong>ates at river Bidhyadhari that jo<strong>in</strong>s the sea <strong>in</strong> Bay of<br />
Bengal.
As per letter dated 22/05/1979 of Prodhan and Upa-Prodhan<br />
of Mohanpur Gram Panchayet, P.O. N<strong>on</strong>a-Chandanpukur, P.S.<br />
Titagarh, Dist. 24-Parganas addressed to MIC, Irrigati<strong>on</strong><br />
Department - S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>Khal</strong> orig<strong>in</strong>ated from Barti Bil and<br />
term<strong>in</strong>ated at Bagjola <strong>Khal</strong>.<br />
As per the enclosures of letter dt. 1st June 1979 vide No.<br />
6727/1(V)CI of the Chief Eng<strong>in</strong>eer (I) of Irrigati<strong>on</strong> &<br />
<strong>Water</strong>ways Directorate, Government of West Bengal, Writers<br />
Build<strong>in</strong>gs, Calcutta – S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>Khal</strong> started from Barti Bil and was<br />
l<strong>in</strong>ked to Ichapur <strong>Khal</strong>, which is c<strong>on</strong>nected with river<br />
Ganges. The S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>Khal</strong> is extended over the protected area of<br />
the Jaffarpur Rifle Range <strong>in</strong> Mouja Tel<strong>in</strong>i Para.<br />
4 Length : 35 KM (approximately)<br />
5 Evidences which can<br />
be cited<br />
6 Physical<br />
evidences/present<br />
positi<strong>on</strong><br />
7 Government<br />
declarati<strong>on</strong> /<br />
documents which<br />
unequivocally<br />
substantiate/support<br />
the existence of<br />
S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>River</strong><br />
: Survey of <strong>India</strong> Map No. 79 B/5 as stated above.<br />
Draw<strong>in</strong>g of Irrigati<strong>on</strong> Department<br />
Draw<strong>in</strong>g prepared by Panihati Municipality vide no.<br />
999/PM/0024 as referred above.<br />
:<br />
These documents broadly substantiate/support our claim <strong>on</strong><br />
the existence of <strong>River</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai<br />
a) Physical existence still at sight at Panihati Municipal<br />
area, Mouza Natagarh, Ghola and Pansila<br />
b) In some places there is a str<strong>in</strong>g of water bodies and<br />
some where it is totally vanished/reclaimed.<br />
: a) Titagarh - Barrackpore area – Work Order No. 287 dt.<br />
20/01/1984 for excavati<strong>on</strong> of S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>Khal</strong> was issued by<br />
Executive Eng<strong>in</strong>eer, Urban Dra<strong>in</strong>age Divisi<strong>on</strong> of Irrigati<strong>on</strong><br />
Department which is available with us. This document was<br />
submitted to High Court <strong>in</strong> 2000 and the H<strong>on</strong>’ble Chief<br />
Justice of Calcutta High Court took cognizance of the same.<br />
b) Letter No. 31012/1/85-Fy(3) dt. 02/01/1989 of the<br />
M<strong>in</strong>istry of Agriculture, New Delhi<br />
c) Letter No. DO/14/P/CMA of Dr. Dhrubajyoti Ghosh<br />
(recipient of United Nati<strong>on</strong> Development Programme<br />
prize for envir<strong>on</strong>ment and presently (2003) work<strong>in</strong>g as<br />
the Chief Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Officer, Department of<br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>ment, Government of West Bengal).<br />
d) Vice Chairman of Panihati Municipality issued Directi<strong>on</strong><br />
to <strong>on</strong>e Dr. Baldeb Goswami of Prasanna Chatterjee<br />
Road, Ghola <strong>on</strong> 17th March 1994 vide No.PH/I/962(C)<br />
for removal of encroachment <strong>on</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>River</strong>.<br />
e) The Chief Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Officer of Department of
8 Serious efforts of<br />
local people for<br />
stopp<strong>in</strong>g illegal fill<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of <strong>River</strong><br />
Observati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
District Judge<br />
regard<strong>in</strong>g existence<br />
of S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>Khal</strong> / <strong>River</strong><br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>ment issued letter to the Secretary of CMDA <strong>on</strong><br />
4th August 2000 stat<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
“<strong>River</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>in</strong> fact used to feed Bagjola Canal which needs to<br />
be dra<strong>in</strong>ed so much.”<br />
: Letter sent to the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court alleg<strong>in</strong>g<br />
illegal fill<strong>in</strong>g of <strong>River</strong> at Panihati Municipal area which was<br />
treated at Writ Petiti<strong>on</strong> <strong>in</strong> 1997 vide High Court reference<br />
No. W. P. 31112 (W)/1997. The applicati<strong>on</strong> was disposed of<br />
with a directi<strong>on</strong> to the Panihati Municipal authority to oversee<br />
the issue.<br />
The order dated 09/01/1998 of Justice U.C. Banerjee and<br />
Justice R<strong>on</strong>ojit Kumar Mitra of H<strong>on</strong>’ble Green Bench directed<br />
“The Municipality is directed to take appropriate steps <strong>in</strong><br />
accordance with law to ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> the envir<strong>on</strong>mental equilibrium<br />
<strong>in</strong> the area <strong>in</strong> questi<strong>on</strong>, up<strong>on</strong> <strong>in</strong>timati<strong>on</strong> to the Polluti<strong>on</strong> C<strong>on</strong>trol<br />
Board”.<br />
In the same order the H<strong>on</strong>’ble Bench also added<br />
“The Chairman, Panihati Municipality, who is present <strong>in</strong> Court,<br />
is directed to ensure, however, that the exist<strong>in</strong>g water body<br />
should not be disturbed <strong>in</strong> any way whatsoever”.<br />
This order has never been complied with and the local people<br />
were further compelled to send letters to the H<strong>on</strong>’ble Green<br />
Bench and matter was aga<strong>in</strong> taken up by High Court <strong>in</strong> 2001.<br />
There was a str<strong>on</strong>g people’s movement <strong>in</strong> Barrackpore-<br />
Titagarh area for recovery/resuscitati<strong>on</strong> of <strong>River</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai led by Sri<br />
Khokan Ganguly and Sri Ganapati Sarkar dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
______________.<br />
Khokan Ganguly, resid<strong>in</strong>g at Barrackpore – Ph. No. 25600221 /<br />
25400857<br />
Janapati Sarkar resid<strong>in</strong>g at Ruia, P.O. Patulia – Ph. No. 2561 -<br />
1821<br />
It is worthwhile to menti<strong>on</strong> here that H<strong>on</strong>’ble District Judge had<br />
submitted a report <strong>on</strong> 17/08/2001 before the H<strong>on</strong>’ble High<br />
Court after be<strong>in</strong>g asked by the Court to ascerta<strong>in</strong> the existence<br />
of S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>Khal</strong>/<strong>River</strong> <strong>in</strong> terms of Court’s directi<strong>on</strong> under W.P.<br />
No.31112(W) /1997 dt.16/02/2001.<br />
The H<strong>on</strong>’ble District Judge <strong>in</strong> his report submitted to the<br />
H<strong>on</strong>’ble High Court c<strong>on</strong>firmed the existence of S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>Khal</strong>/<strong>River</strong><br />
which reads as follows :
“In terms of my earlier references of documents it can also be<br />
said that while C.S. and R.S. maps are silent <strong>in</strong> respect of the<br />
exist<strong>in</strong>g of S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>River</strong>/<strong>Khal</strong>, yet report of Major General,<br />
Director Eastern Circle, Survey of <strong>India</strong> dated 27/06/2001<br />
(Annexure B/3) Work Order of Irrigati<strong>on</strong> Department under the<br />
Government of West Bengal L.A. Cases for the acquisiti<strong>on</strong> of<br />
land for the purpose of excavati<strong>on</strong> of S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>Khal</strong>/<strong>River</strong><br />
(Annexure E-Series) that there was also existence of S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>Khal</strong><br />
/<strong>River</strong> <strong>in</strong> the Natagarh Mouza under P.S. Khardah”.<br />
We are eagerly wait<strong>in</strong>g to see whether the court’s firmness <strong>in</strong><br />
this case can make any difference to S<strong>on</strong>ai’s proposed<br />
resuscitati<strong>on</strong> and ecological health.<br />
9 Offend<strong>in</strong>g parties : Both Government bodies and private <strong>in</strong>dividuals.<br />
It needs to be said here that authorities of Panihati Municipality<br />
is a prime offender which has mutated and sancti<strong>on</strong>ed build<strong>in</strong>g<br />
plan <strong>on</strong> the water bodies of <strong>River</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai. It has not even<br />
complied with the specific Order of Envir<strong>on</strong>ment Bench of<br />
Calcutta High Court.<br />
10 C<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> of<br />
bridge over <strong>River</strong><br />
S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>in</strong> 2003.<br />
It need to be said here that cluster of houses stand<strong>in</strong>g <strong>on</strong> the<br />
very bed of <strong>River</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>in</strong> Kalyannagar have been built even<br />
after the Green Bench Orders <strong>in</strong> 1997 and 1998. Despite High<br />
Court Orders bann<strong>in</strong>g such activities Panihati Municipality has<br />
mutated land reclaimed <strong>on</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai and sancti<strong>on</strong>ed build<strong>in</strong>g plan<br />
illegally.<br />
: In a recent decisi<strong>on</strong> the Panihati Municipal authority has<br />
sancti<strong>on</strong>ed Rs.8.00 Lakhs for c<strong>on</strong>struct<strong>in</strong>g a bridge over <strong>River</strong><br />
S<strong>on</strong>ai at Kalyannagar – Bodhikanan area, Mouza Natagarh<br />
keep<strong>in</strong>g clearance for flow of water. C<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> of the bridge<br />
started <strong>in</strong> April/May 2003.<br />
Surpris<strong>in</strong>gly water bodies of <strong>River</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai at Ghola Natun Bazar,<br />
Bistubhadrer Mor, Natagarh and Panchanantala area – all<br />
under Panihati Municipality are be<strong>in</strong>g filled up c<strong>on</strong>t<strong>in</strong>uously by<br />
municipal garbage and all sorts of waste materials for the last<br />
few years despite public protests/agitati<strong>on</strong> and written<br />
submissi<strong>on</strong> to the authorities c<strong>on</strong>cerned. Such m<strong>in</strong>dless and<br />
unethical destructi<strong>on</strong> of river is be<strong>in</strong>g allowed to c<strong>on</strong>t<strong>in</strong>ue year<br />
after year. It may be noted here that there is a permanent<br />
<strong>in</strong>juncti<strong>on</strong> imposed by the H<strong>on</strong>’ble High Court restrict<strong>in</strong>g /<br />
restra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g all types of development work <strong>on</strong> the <strong>River</strong> and also<br />
by the side of <strong>River</strong>.<br />
S<strong>on</strong>ai – <strong>in</strong>itially as a flow<strong>in</strong>g river and later, as a str<strong>in</strong>g of water<br />
bodies – was a critical comp<strong>on</strong>ent of Sodepur’s natural<br />
dra<strong>in</strong>age and ra<strong>in</strong>water run-off system, the town now<br />
faces severe water-logg<strong>in</strong>g with every mild shower.
11 SUSTAINING<br />
CALCUTTA<br />
PRESENT STATUS<br />
REPORT OF THE<br />
URBAN PEOPLES<br />
ENVIRONMENT<br />
E I P WORKING<br />
REPORT 5<br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>mental<br />
Improvement<br />
Programme for<br />
Calcutta<br />
A CMDA FACILITY<br />
CALCUTTA<br />
METROPOLITAN<br />
WATER AND<br />
SANITATION<br />
AUTHORITY<br />
12 Benefit for<br />
excavati<strong>on</strong> /<br />
restorati<strong>on</strong> of <strong>River</strong><br />
S<strong>on</strong>ai<br />
:<br />
It may be menti<strong>on</strong>ed here that the revival of <strong>River</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai is<br />
essential to facilitate blocked dra<strong>in</strong>age system of the area and<br />
to <strong>in</strong>crease the availability of surface water to combat arsenic<br />
problem <strong>in</strong> dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g water because major part of the river falls<br />
under the jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> of Barrackpore-II Block which is arsenic<br />
pr<strong>on</strong>e z<strong>on</strong>e as menti<strong>on</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> relevant Map of the Gazette of<br />
Public Health Eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g Department, Govt. of W.B., vide Sl.<br />
No. 51.<br />
15.3 WETLAND FORMATION AND DISTRIBUTION<br />
The Calcutta Metropolitan Area <strong>in</strong> the lower Gangetic pla<strong>in</strong> is<br />
more or less flat. The pr<strong>in</strong>cipal dra<strong>in</strong>age l<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> the river<br />
Hugli. The river enters the Calcutta Metropolitan Area at<br />
Tribeni and leaves the regi<strong>on</strong> at Uluberia. At Tribeni, the river<br />
Sartaswati branches off to the west and the Jamuna to the<br />
east. The entire Calcutta Metropolitan Area is traversed by<br />
<strong>in</strong>numerable offshoots of the river Hugli. The north eastern part<br />
of the area comprises meander belts of the river form<strong>in</strong>g large<br />
arcuate waterbodies like the Mathura, the Kulia, the Maricha<br />
and the Baisar bils. The dra<strong>in</strong>age l<strong>in</strong>es <strong>in</strong> the area are highly<br />
sluggish. Am<strong>on</strong>g the present day channels, the Hugli, the<br />
Jamuna and the Sunti are the more important <strong>on</strong>es. Some of<br />
the palaeo-channels can be traced <strong>in</strong> the regi<strong>on</strong> by their highly<br />
aggraded beds. They <strong>in</strong>clude the Adi Ganga, the Gouri Ganga,<br />
the Kana Damodar, the S<strong>on</strong>ai Nadi and the Bidyadhari<br />
river. Land is naturally higher al<strong>on</strong>g both the banks of the<br />
exist<strong>in</strong>g palaeo-channels. Away from the levees land slopes<br />
down till it reaches another river and rises. The<br />
:<br />
<strong>in</strong>terdistributary marshes are numerous. The wetlands here<br />
have been formed by natural and anthropogenic causes and are<br />
scattered all over the regi<strong>on</strong>. There are numerous small tanks<br />
of the size of less than 5000 sq. metres <strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong>e hand and large<br />
wetlands of more than 16,000 ha. <strong>on</strong> the other. Generally<br />
depths of the wetlands are never more than 3 metres and most<br />
are much shallower. Fluvial acti<strong>on</strong> has been the chief cause of<br />
creati<strong>on</strong> of the natural wetlands <strong>in</strong> this regi<strong>on</strong>. Man made<br />
water bodies found <strong>in</strong> the regi<strong>on</strong> are either for water supply or<br />
are borrow pits found al<strong>on</strong>g the highways, railways and <strong>in</strong> brickfields.<br />
Small tanks less than 5000 sq. metres <strong>in</strong> area are mostly<br />
dug by man and they can be identified <strong>on</strong> a map by their<br />
comparatively regular boundaries.<br />
S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>on</strong>ce restored to life may be a significant source of<br />
<strong>in</strong>come and livelihood for a vast number of fishermen, a useful<br />
sewage and detoxificati<strong>on</strong> of polluted water, a vital player <strong>in</strong><br />
ground water recharge and discharge, <strong>in</strong> ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g open<br />
space, and generat<strong>in</strong>g oxygen and recreati<strong>on</strong> facilities and also<br />
<strong>in</strong> develop<strong>in</strong>g ferry service and <strong>in</strong> fulfill<strong>in</strong>g irrigati<strong>on</strong> needs.
13 Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Laws<br />
& the people *<br />
Shri P Lakshmana<br />
Reddy<br />
District & Sessi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Judge,<br />
Visakihapatnam<br />
*Edited versi<strong>on</strong> of<br />
the Valedictory<br />
Address at the 30th<br />
Public Hear<strong>in</strong>g <strong>on</strong><br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>ment and<br />
Development held <strong>in</strong><br />
Visakhapatnam <strong>on</strong><br />
26 October 1996 by<br />
the People’s<br />
Commissi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong><br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>ment and<br />
Development <strong>India</strong><br />
and the Voluntary<br />
Associati<strong>on</strong> for<br />
Susta<strong>in</strong>able<br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>ment<br />
14 The <strong>Water</strong><br />
(Preventi<strong>on</strong> And<br />
C<strong>on</strong>trol of Polluti<strong>on</strong>)<br />
Act, 1974<br />
Secti<strong>on</strong> 24<br />
Prohibiti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> use of<br />
stream or well for<br />
disposal of pollut<strong>in</strong>g<br />
matter, etc.<br />
Relevant to our<br />
allegati<strong>on</strong><br />
On 10 April 1996, the High Court of Andhra Pradesh delivered<br />
judgement <strong>in</strong> Writ Petiti<strong>on</strong> No. 2975 of 1987 filede as Public<br />
Interest Litigati<strong>on</strong> <strong>in</strong> respect of the polluti<strong>on</strong> of Hussa<strong>in</strong>sagar<br />
Lake <strong>in</strong> Hyderabad [reported <strong>in</strong> AIR 1996(3) An. W.R. 253]. His<br />
Lordship Justice D. H. Nasir, after elaborate discussi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
disposed it off giv<strong>in</strong>g various directi<strong>on</strong>s to the Andhra Pradesh<br />
Polluti<strong>on</strong> C<strong>on</strong>trol Board, the Sewerage Board and the<br />
Hyderabad Municipal Corporati<strong>on</strong>, prescrib<strong>in</strong>g time limit for<br />
necessary steps to prevent polluti<strong>on</strong> of waters of Hussa<strong>in</strong>sagar<br />
Lake.<br />
In several cases, the Supreme Court went to the rescue of the<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>s affected by the polluti<strong>on</strong> and awarded them sufficient<br />
compensati<strong>on</strong>. Recently, the ryots, whose lands were affected<br />
by the polluti<strong>on</strong> of nakka vagu (canal) water due to discharge of<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustrial effluent by the <strong>in</strong>dustries <strong>in</strong> Patancheru Industrial<br />
Development Area near Hyderabad, were awarded<br />
:<br />
compensati<strong>on</strong> to the tune of Rs. 1.39 crores (Rs. 13.9<br />
milli<strong>on</strong>). As the State Government failed to c<strong>on</strong>trol water<br />
polluti<strong>on</strong>, the Supreme Court directed it to deposit the amount<br />
<strong>in</strong> the first <strong>in</strong>stance and then to recover it from the<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustrialists resp<strong>on</strong>sible for the polluti<strong>on</strong>. Thus the Supreme<br />
Court forced the State Government and its adm<strong>in</strong>istrative<br />
executive to act <strong>in</strong> accordance with the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the<br />
polluti<strong>on</strong> laws.<br />
24. (1) Subject to the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of this secti<strong>on</strong>, –<br />
(a) no pers<strong>on</strong> shall know<strong>in</strong>gly cause or permit any<br />
pois<strong>on</strong>ous, noxious or pollut<strong>in</strong>g matter determ<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong><br />
accordance with such standards as may be laid down by the<br />
State Board to enter (whether directly or <strong>in</strong>directly) <strong>in</strong>to any<br />
stream or well or sewer or <strong>on</strong> land; or<br />
(b) no pers<strong>on</strong> shall know<strong>in</strong>gly cause or permit to enter <strong>in</strong>to<br />
any stream any other matter which may tend, either directly or<br />
<strong>in</strong> comb<strong>in</strong>ati<strong>on</strong> with similar matters, to impede the proper flow<br />
of the water of the stream <strong>in</strong> a manner lead<strong>in</strong>g or likely to lead<br />
to a substantial aggravati<strong>on</strong> of polluti<strong>on</strong> due to other causes or<br />
of its c<strong>on</strong>sequences.<br />
(2) A pers<strong>on</strong> shall not be guilty of an offence under subsecti<strong>on</strong><br />
(1), by reas<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong>ly of hav<strong>in</strong>g d<strong>on</strong>e or caused to be d<strong>on</strong>e<br />
any of the follow<strong>in</strong>g acts, namely:-<br />
(a) c<strong>on</strong>struct<strong>in</strong>g, improv<strong>in</strong>g or ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> or across or <strong>on</strong><br />
the bank or bed of any stream any build<strong>in</strong>g, bridge, weir, dam,<br />
sluice, dock, pier, dra<strong>in</strong> or sewer or other permanent works<br />
which has a right to c<strong>on</strong>struct, improve or ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>;<br />
(b) deposit<strong>in</strong>g any materials <strong>on</strong> the bank or <strong>in</strong> the bed of any
Law is born out of social, ec<strong>on</strong>omic and political causes.<br />
stream for the purpose of reclaim<strong>in</strong>g land or for support<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
repair<strong>in</strong>g or protect<strong>in</strong>g the bank or bed of such stream provided<br />
such materials are not capable of pollut<strong>in</strong>g such stream;<br />
(c) putt<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>to any stream any sand or gravel or other<br />
natural deposit which has flowed from or been deposited by<br />
the current of such stream;<br />
(d) caus<strong>in</strong>g or permitt<strong>in</strong>g, with the c<strong>on</strong>sent of the State<br />
Board, the deposit accumulated <strong>in</strong> a well, p<strong>on</strong>d or reservoir to<br />
enter <strong>in</strong>to any stream.<br />
(3) The State Government may, after c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> with, or <strong>on</strong><br />
the recommendati<strong>on</strong> of, the State Board, exempt by<br />
notificati<strong>on</strong> <strong>in</strong> the official Gazette, any pers<strong>on</strong> from the<br />
operati<strong>on</strong> of sub-secti<strong>on</strong> (1) subject to such c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s, if any,<br />
as may be specified <strong>in</strong> the notificati<strong>on</strong> and any c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong> so<br />
specified may by a like notificati<strong>on</strong> and be altered, varied or<br />
amended.<br />
The stretch of water bodies popularly known to be porti<strong>on</strong> of S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>River</strong> can easily take a shape of clear<br />
watercourse if bits of c<strong>on</strong>nect<strong>in</strong>g roads, porti<strong>on</strong> of build<strong>in</strong>gs encroach<strong>in</strong>g the course and garbage filled<br />
areas are wished out with <strong>on</strong>e’s imag<strong>in</strong>ati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Destructi<strong>on</strong> of <strong>River</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai started l<strong>on</strong>g back when the destructors had no specific motivati<strong>on</strong>. Then it<br />
happened somewhat sporadically. There was no organized force of violators with c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong> <strong>in</strong> high<br />
places <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the local law enforc<strong>in</strong>g authorities and no explicit purpose of m<strong>on</strong>ey mak<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
In the recent years these destructi<strong>on</strong>s have been undertaken by a vicious band of violators of law, to be<br />
specific, real estate developers who are carry<strong>in</strong>g out real estate bus<strong>in</strong>ess <strong>on</strong> <strong>River</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai and mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
quick m<strong>on</strong>ey. It may be menti<strong>on</strong>ed here that c<strong>on</strong>t<strong>in</strong>uous <strong>in</strong>flux of refugees from Bangladesh and other<br />
immigrants from Assam and Tripura have made the land price rocket<strong>in</strong>g very high. To meet the<br />
demand of land S<strong>on</strong>ai is chosen to be soft target by these evil real estate developers because S<strong>on</strong>ai has<br />
nobody to look after her <strong>in</strong>terest. She played the role of a water pass<strong>in</strong>g channel <strong>in</strong> the vast regi<strong>on</strong> of<br />
Barrackpore Sub-Divisi<strong>on</strong>. It is worth menti<strong>on</strong><strong>in</strong>g here that circumstantial evidences will prove that the<br />
local Municipalities <strong>in</strong>stead of protect<strong>in</strong>g S<strong>on</strong>ai have themselves are hands <strong>in</strong> gloves with these<br />
promoters. In this c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong> a press write-up of The Statesman dated 05/03/1994 is relevant.<br />
In this c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong> we would like to cite an ancient Ch<strong>in</strong>ese Proverb<br />
“<strong>River</strong>s are like the mouth of <strong>in</strong>fants – the more you try to stop them the more they shout. And if you<br />
apply force, they die.”<br />
<strong>River</strong> beds are the genesis of our ancient civilizati<strong>on</strong>. The entire green planet is very much dependent<br />
up<strong>on</strong> the wholesomeness of water. In our early religious rituals, water was worshipped as a God or
Goddess and different religious activities sharply <strong>in</strong>dicated about the necessity of ma<strong>in</strong>tenance of<br />
wholesomeness of water. <strong>Water</strong> courses have their own purify<strong>in</strong>g system, but excess polluti<strong>on</strong> load <strong>in</strong><br />
the rivers or <strong>in</strong> any water course may not f<strong>in</strong>d their way to purify water <strong>in</strong> natural course.<br />
<strong>Water</strong> is regarded as man’s best friend <strong>in</strong> the physical envir<strong>on</strong>ment. It serves him <strong>in</strong> many ways. As an<br />
article of physiological necessity, it has a high place <strong>in</strong> the healthy ma<strong>in</strong>tenance of the body. It is<br />
required for life processes, for the proper functi<strong>on</strong><strong>in</strong>g of the organs. Much of the ill health <strong>in</strong> the<br />
underdeveloped countries is largely due to lack of safe dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g water. There can be no stage of<br />
positive community health and well-be<strong>in</strong>g without safe water supply.<br />
Wetlands are the treasure house of biodiversity and provide an array of benefits to<br />
mank<strong>in</strong>d. Biodiversity, both floral and faunal, is very high <strong>in</strong> the wetlands. It is <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g to note that<br />
wetlands exhibit more or less all tax<strong>on</strong>omic groups beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g from algae to angiosperms <strong>in</strong> its floral<br />
diversity. Similar is the case with faunal diversity <strong>in</strong> wetlands. They are not <strong>on</strong>ly important for the<br />
survival of the fishes, birds, turtles, crocodiles etc., but also are habitants of many <strong>in</strong>sects dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
reproductive phase of their life cycle.<br />
West Bengal October 16 2001<br />
To def<strong>in</strong>e wetland, it is relevant to quote 1990 Internati<strong>on</strong>al Uni<strong>on</strong> For C<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> of Nature and<br />
Natural Resources which reads –<br />
“Over fifty separate def<strong>in</strong>iti<strong>on</strong>s of wetlands are currently <strong>in</strong> use with broadest, provided by the RAMSAR<br />
CONVENTION, def<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g Wetlands as :<br />
Area of marsh, fen, pitland whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is<br />
static or flow<strong>in</strong>g, fresh, brakish or salt, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g areas of mar<strong>in</strong>e water the depth of which at low tide<br />
does not exceed six metres.” The c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> wetlands is an <strong>in</strong>ter-governmental treaty which is<br />
known as RAMSAR CONVENTION established <strong>in</strong> 1971 and provides the framework of Internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Cooperati<strong>on</strong> for the c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong> of wetlands.<br />
Wetlands perform certa<strong>in</strong> functi<strong>on</strong>s, essential for support<strong>in</strong>g animal and plant life, and ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
quality of envir<strong>on</strong>ment.<br />
Functi<strong>on</strong>s : 1. Flood C<strong>on</strong>trol<br />
2. Ground water recharge and discharge<br />
3. Shorel<strong>in</strong>e stabilizati<strong>on</strong><br />
4. Sediment, nutrient, toxicant retenti<strong>on</strong><br />
Generate product : Wildlife, fisheries and forest resources<br />
Ecosystem attributes : Biological diversity and culture heritage.<br />
Whether a wetland performs certa<strong>in</strong> functi<strong>on</strong>s, yields specific products or possesses certa<strong>in</strong> attributes is<br />
determ<strong>in</strong>ed by the <strong>in</strong>teracti<strong>on</strong>s and the biological, chemical and physical characteristics of the site. All<br />
characteristics may or may not be present <strong>in</strong> each wetland. There has been <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g awareness of the<br />
serious c<strong>on</strong>sequences of wetland transformati<strong>on</strong> and the result<strong>in</strong>g losses not <strong>on</strong>ly for wildlife but also<br />
for the wellbe<strong>in</strong>g for the human communities.
West Bengal October 16 2001<br />
S<strong>on</strong>ai which was a flow<strong>in</strong>g “stream” almost a century ago, is now wait<strong>in</strong>g to breathe her last as dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
decades she had n<strong>on</strong>e to look after and save her from human lust for land. In the absence of adequate<br />
c<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>al safeguard together with the presently exist<strong>in</strong>g clumsey and weak law framework and<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sequent breakdown of traditi<strong>on</strong>al biophilia am<strong>on</strong>g people, a destructive property right evolved<br />
gradually <strong>on</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai turn<strong>in</strong>g her <strong>in</strong>to a stretches of p<strong>on</strong>ds with <strong>in</strong>termittent blockades of c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
brick-fiends, roads and playgrounds. The land records of the plots which def<strong>in</strong>es the bed of S<strong>on</strong>ai<br />
reveals private and comm<strong>on</strong> users’ right of ownership land be<strong>in</strong>g recorded. These records of right are<br />
not very old. Historically it is well known the property right regime <strong>on</strong> wetland and rivers <strong>in</strong> <strong>India</strong> and<br />
West Bengal changed from private a comm<strong>on</strong> property management of these resources to direct<br />
government ownership and/or c<strong>on</strong>trol. In the case of S<strong>on</strong>ai, historical <strong>in</strong>difference up to this po<strong>in</strong>t of<br />
time kept her fate sealed even though the eco-necessity of her restorati<strong>on</strong> is grow<strong>in</strong>g day-by-day due<br />
to grow<strong>in</strong>g urbanizati<strong>on</strong> of the locality through which S<strong>on</strong>ai flow. It will be not our of place to note that<br />
<strong>in</strong> the State of West Bengal, the land-cadastre is extremely faulty, unreliable and corrupt and no state<br />
government had even undertaken the task of mak<strong>in</strong>g it proper, objective and scientific. Faulty and<br />
corrupt records of rights is a h<strong>in</strong>drance to restorati<strong>on</strong> of S<strong>on</strong>ai and to the preservati<strong>on</strong> and ma<strong>in</strong>tenance<br />
of WB rivers and wetlands <strong>in</strong> general. From the po<strong>in</strong>t of view of C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>, private property rights is<br />
no l<strong>on</strong>ger deemed as sacred as it was before the 44 th Amendment of the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>. Article 300A of<br />
the C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong> declares the authority of law and pers<strong>on</strong>al property right. S<strong>on</strong>ai <strong>on</strong>ce restored to life<br />
may be a significant source of <strong>in</strong>come and livelihood for a vast number of fishermen, a useful sewage<br />
and detoxificati<strong>on</strong> of polluted water, a vital player <strong>in</strong> ground water recharge and discharge, <strong>in</strong><br />
ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g open space, and generat<strong>in</strong>g oxygen and recreati<strong>on</strong> facilities and also <strong>in</strong> develop<strong>in</strong>g ferry<br />
service and <strong>in</strong> fulfill<strong>in</strong>g irrigati<strong>on</strong> needs. The corresp<strong>on</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g laws <strong>in</strong> all these matters provide ample and<br />
str<strong>on</strong>g ground for abolish<strong>in</strong>g and/or restrict<strong>in</strong>g adverse landed property right <strong>on</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai. Moreover the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>versi<strong>on</strong> of possessi<strong>on</strong> rights <strong>in</strong>to ownership rights, which actually happened <strong>in</strong> case of S<strong>on</strong>ai needs to<br />
be scrut<strong>in</strong>ized and waived at all costs <strong>in</strong> the greater public and regi<strong>on</strong>al development <strong>in</strong>terests. Thus<br />
whether S<strong>on</strong>ai officially exists or not is a dubious questi<strong>on</strong> and reflect an overall apathy to envir<strong>on</strong>ment<br />
and c<strong>on</strong>cerned matter <strong>on</strong> the part of those who raise it. The various documents and profiles that have<br />
been enlisted below proves <strong>in</strong> letter and <strong>in</strong> spirit the actual existence of S<strong>on</strong>ai and the need to wak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
up her to a danc<strong>in</strong>g life. We need to dream a little.<br />
Whether S<strong>on</strong>ai officially exists or not is a dubious questi<strong>on</strong> and reflect an overall apathy to envir<strong>on</strong>ment<br />
and c<strong>on</strong>cerned matter <strong>on</strong> the part of those who raise it.<br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>ment <strong>in</strong>cludes everyth<strong>in</strong>g that surrounds us, the air that we breathe, the water we dr<strong>in</strong>k, the<br />
hills, the seas and even all manmade objects.<br />
01 Published <strong>in</strong><br />
West Bengal<br />
December 2002<br />
Article titled “City<br />
holds<br />
<strong>in</strong>ternati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
c<strong>on</strong>ference <strong>on</strong><br />
susta<strong>in</strong>able<br />
envir<strong>on</strong>mental<br />
sanitati<strong>on</strong> and<br />
: While right to water as a basic human need has now been accepted as<br />
a human right, the fulfillment of the same for all the people,<br />
particularly those <strong>in</strong> the develop<strong>in</strong>g countries, is yet to be achieved to<br />
the fullest extent.
water service<br />
02 Documents<br />
available with<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Book titled - SUSTAINING CALCUTTA<br />
: Presently some documents are still ly<strong>in</strong>g with Dipak Roy, though he<br />
says he has given all documents. We have handed over all major<br />
documents to Tapash Bhattacharyya, Advocate of Calcutta High Court<br />
with an <strong>in</strong>tenti<strong>on</strong> that he will take up the matter <strong>in</strong> right earnest. At<br />
the <strong>in</strong>itiative of Kisanda we have also handed over two vital books<br />
documents to Adv. Dutta resid<strong>in</strong>g at Purba Pally of Sodepur.<br />
PRESENT STATUS REPORT OF THE URBAN PEOPLE’S ENVIRONMENT<br />
E I P WORKING REPORT 5<br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Improvement Programme for Calcutta<br />
A CMDA FACILITY<br />
CALCUTTA METROPOLITAN WATER AND SANITATION AUTHORITY<br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Improvement Programme (EIP) is a specific facility of Calcutta Metropolitan<br />
Development Authority. This programme is aimed at <strong>in</strong>tegrat<strong>in</strong>g envir<strong>on</strong>mental c<strong>on</strong>cern <strong>in</strong> urban<br />
plann<strong>in</strong>g and development activities which will lead to a susta<strong>in</strong>able urban growth.<br />
Chief Executive Officer, CMDA
FOREWORD<br />
…………………………………<br />
…………………………………<br />
The present report is based <strong>on</strong> an ordered assimilati<strong>on</strong> of available <strong>in</strong>formati<strong>on</strong> and will serve as the<br />
foundati<strong>on</strong> for develop<strong>in</strong>g the strategy for urban envir<strong>on</strong>mental improvement and restorati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
Calcutta’s envir<strong>on</strong>ment and also for safeguard<strong>in</strong>g the city from future problems of ecological<br />
imbalance. By complet<strong>in</strong>g this phenomenal work Dr. Dhrubajyoti Ghosh, Co-ord<strong>in</strong>ator, Envir<strong>on</strong>mental<br />
Improvement Programme and his team, have d<strong>on</strong>e a commendable job and deserve appreciati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
I hope this humble effort will be of some assistance to the people of Calcutta, the ultimate decisi<strong>on</strong><br />
makers for shap<strong>in</strong>g their future envir<strong>on</strong>ment.<br />
15.3 WETLAND FORMATION AND DISTRIBUTION<br />
Asok Bhattacharya, M<strong>in</strong>ister-<strong>in</strong>-Charge, Department of<br />
Urban Development, Government of West<br />
Bengal – 5 June 1996<br />
The Calcutta Metropolitan Area <strong>in</strong> the lower Gangetic pla<strong>in</strong> is more or less flat. The pr<strong>in</strong>cipal dra<strong>in</strong>age<br />
l<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong> the river Hugli. The river enters the Calcutta Metropolitan Area at Tribeni and leaves the regi<strong>on</strong><br />
at Uluberia. At Tribeni, the river Saraswati branches off to the west and the Jamuna to the east. The<br />
entire Calcutta Metropolitan Area is traversed by <strong>in</strong>numerable offshoots of the river Hugli. The north<br />
eastern part of the area comprises meander belts of the river form<strong>in</strong>g large arcuate waterbodies like the<br />
Mathura, the Kulia, the Maricha and the Baisar bils. The dra<strong>in</strong>age l<strong>in</strong>es <strong>in</strong> the area are highly<br />
sluggish. Am<strong>on</strong>g the present day channels, the Hugli, the Jamuna and the Sunti are the more important<br />
<strong>on</strong>es. Some of the palaeo-channels can be traced <strong>in</strong> the regi<strong>on</strong> by their highly aggraded beds. They<br />
<strong>in</strong>clude the Adi Ganga, the Gouri Ganga, the Kana Damodar, the S<strong>on</strong>ai Nadi and the Bidyadhari<br />
river. Land is naturally higher al<strong>on</strong>g both the banks of the exist<strong>in</strong>g palaeo-channels. Away from the<br />
levees land slopes down till it reaches another river and rises. The <strong>in</strong>terdistributary marshes are<br />
numerous. The wetlands here have been formed by natural and anthropogenic causes and are<br />
scattered all over the regi<strong>on</strong>. There are numerous small tanks of the size of less than 5000 sq. metres <strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>on</strong>e hand and large wetlands of more than 16,000 ha. <strong>on</strong> the other. Generally depths of the wetlands<br />
are never more than 3 metres and most are much shallower. Fluvial acti<strong>on</strong> has been the chief cause of<br />
creati<strong>on</strong> of the natural wetlands <strong>in</strong> this regi<strong>on</strong>. Man made water bodies found <strong>in</strong> the regi<strong>on</strong> are either<br />
for water supply or are borrow pits found al<strong>on</strong>g the highways, railways and <strong>in</strong> brick-fields. Small tanks<br />
less than 5000 sq. metres <strong>in</strong> area are mostly dug by man and they can be identified <strong>on</strong> a map by their<br />
comparatively regular boundaries. (from Page No. 164 – 165)
MOUZA-WISE ROUTE OF SONAI KHAL<br />
SL. NAME OF MOUZA J.L. POLICE STN.<br />
NO.<br />
NO.<br />
1 TABAHERIA 74 AMDANGA<br />
2 SAHAPUR 73 AMDANGA<br />
3 TELENIPARA 10 TITAGARH<br />
4 MOHANPUR 8 TITAGARH<br />
5 BARO KHATALIA 7 TITAGARH<br />
6 RUIYA 20 KHARDAH<br />
7 PATULIA 4 KHARDAH<br />
8 BANDIPUR 17 KHARDAH<br />
9 NATAGARH 15 KHARDAH<br />
10 GHOLA 14 KHARDAH<br />
11 PATNA 1 DUM DUM<br />
12 UTTAR NIMTA 2 DUM DUM<br />
13 DAKSHIN NIMTA 8 DUM DUM<br />
14 SULTANPUR 10 DUM DUM<br />
15 GARUI 16 DUM DUM<br />
16 DIGLA 18 DUM DUM<br />
17 BAGJOLA 21 DUM DUM<br />
THIS INFORMATION COLLECTED FROM SDL & LRO OFFICE, BARRACKPORE ON 28/09/2006 BY KISANDA<br />
AND SELF
Discussi<strong>on</strong> held between Dr. U. N. Biswas, Additi<strong>on</strong>al Director, CBI and M/s. Sunil Ranjan Chakrabarty,<br />
Dipak Kumar Roy, Alok Das and Ujjal Majumdar to f<strong>in</strong>d out / substantiate the existence of <strong>River</strong> S<strong>on</strong>ai<br />
and its course at C. G. O. Complex, Nizam Palace, Calcutta <strong>on</strong> 20 th September 2000 where the<br />
follow<strong>in</strong>g po<strong>in</strong>ts arrived after review<strong>in</strong>g the Survey of <strong>India</strong> Topo Sheet No. 79 B/5 and Irrigati<strong>on</strong><br />
Department’s Map No. UD-1/87.<br />
1. S<strong>on</strong>ai is seen at Tabaheria <strong>on</strong> the left of Sahapur and it is down from Nalkuri Bil and crosses<br />
Barrackpore Barasat Road. There is a th<strong>in</strong> l<strong>in</strong>e pass<strong>in</strong>g Jalsukha. Jalsukha is shown <strong>in</strong> the<br />
present Topo Sheet (79 B/5).<br />
2. Another flow is from Nalkuri Bil upto Ruiya (Ref. Topo Sheet No. 79 B/5). This stream crosses<br />
Barrackpore Barasat Road near Choto Kathalia and flows down near Baro Kathalia upto Ruiya.<br />
One Ichapur <strong>Khal</strong> is seen above Nalkuri Bil. At present Ichapur <strong>Khal</strong> is alive and there is clear<br />
c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong> with Nalkuri Bil to Ichapur <strong>Khal</strong>.<br />
Survey by physical and photography and take the Grid Positi<strong>on</strong><strong>in</strong>g Reference.<br />
Draw<strong>in</strong>g No. UD-1/87 of Irrigati<strong>on</strong> Department, Government of West Bengal shows S<strong>on</strong>ai from<br />
Barti Bil upto Bagjola <strong>Khal</strong> via Matkhal.<br />
GPS (from Ruiya to Barti Bil).