Cityplus
Deccan/Shivaji Nagar, Friday, December 4, 2009
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Pashan lake revival plan to “ attract birds, nature lovers P
ashan Lake is known for its biodiversity of birds and tree species. It is home to a variety of migratory and local birds, which is a sure delight for ornithologists. In 2008, PMC decided to revive the lake and ready it for bird watching. For the same purpose project worth Rs 16.71 crore under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) has been initiated. The lake is facing some problems in recent years which have affected the proportion of birds. There was 80 per cent decrease in the number of bird species detected in the research conducted by ornithologists Tej Mundkur and ZWD Li in 2007. Washing trucks in the lake and garbage dumping in the water has become a common sight. The development plan includes cleaning of the lake and stopping human interference in it. The lake occupies 146 acres of area. A
retaining wall to stop unnecessary noise on the highway side of the lake is proposed to keep silence in the surroundings, says project officer Chandana Ghosh. Another important aspect of the restoration of the Pashan Lake includes strengthening of the Bund which was originally constructed during British era. However, technical details are to be reviewed by CDO, Nashik. The desiltation of the lake for the first time since its construction was partially completed in March 2008 and in the inlet area it is ongoing now. Nearly 4.92 lakh cubic metres of silt has been drawn out and it is being used to make a 17 acre island in the lake. Plantation done on the island will provide the space for new nests and ultimately more birds will be attracted to nest here. It will be surrounded by marshland for birds to wade or feed in shallow waters, says Ghosh. "We also have a 1,250
Consultation should have been done with ornithologists before executing the concept. Planting bamboo on the banks will remove space for feeding of waders.
metres long walkway and Environment Interpretation Centre in our plan. Indigenous, fruit-bearing trees are going to be planted on the embankment. Bird hides will also be built on trees. Shrubs and bamboo will cover the inside
bank of lake and prevent access to it," says Ghosh. However, Prakash Gole who is an eminent ornithologist picks out holes in the plan. "Migratory birds always like open spaces. Planting trees and building walls around the lake
may decrease the number of migratory birds. They don't build nests on trees. Shallow water is needed for their feeding. Even some local birds species found at the lake need shallow water for feeding. Desilting may fill more water in the lake
but it has no connection with birds. To keep the lake as natural as possible is the only way to keep its biodiversity." Dharmaraj Patil, wildlife researcher is a regular visitor to the lake for birdwatching. He says, "Consultation should have been done with ornithologists before executing the concept. Planting bamboo on the banks will remove space for feeding of waders. The shallow water which is going to be developed around the island cannot ensure expected results. To stop unnecessary human interference is good but at the same time the cafeteria proposed near the lake makes no sense." —SHEETAL BHANGRE
Pune will get 600 police personnel, says RR Patil The new-look FRO office T he city is set to get an additional force of 600 police personnel in the near future from among the 15,000 new recruits," said State home minister RR Patil. He was speaking at the inauguration of a modernised police control room and computerised foreigners' registration office (FRO) at the Police Commissionerate in camp. Union Minister of Agriculture Sharad Pawar inaugurat-
He was speaking at the inauguration of a modernised police control room and computerised foreigners' registration office (FRO) at the Police Commissione-rate.
The newly-renovated air-conditioned FRO office looks like an airport waiting lounge. The FRO team, which now reports to deputy commissioner of police (special branch) Ravindra Sangaonkar, has an assistant commissioner of police in-charge sitting in a transparent glass cabin with a police inspector, 10 women police sub-inspectors and 10 constables (men and women). All officials are dressed in corporate style. Electronic kiosk, scanners have been installed for verification of documents.
ed the new control room and FRO. Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe, Pimpri-Chinchwad mayor Aprna Doke, commissioner of police Satya Pal Singh,
joint commissioner of police (law and order) Rajendra Sonawane and deputy commissioner of police (special branch) Ravindra Sengaonkar were present
on the occasion. Pawar also inaugurated the website of Pune FRO. Patil said that people of Pune were generally lawabiding, owing to which the
crime rate of the city was low. However, the report on crime in Maharashtra 2008 released recently by the state CID, ranks Pune second in the number of crimes besides pointing out that the crime rate here is more than in Mumbai. The report says that crime rate in Pune is 278.6 (crime per one lakh population). In
Mumbai it is 239.4. Patil assured that police force is capable of fighting terrorist groups. The state government has provided good weapons and vehicles to the police. Soon, Maharashtra police will be the best in the country, he assured. Pawar asked the police force to work efficiently for the common man.