Navdeep Asija VI/118, Baba Namdev Nagar, Fazilka-152123 E: navdeep.asija@gmail.com
July 15, 2013 To, Dr Basant Garg, IAS Deputy Commissioner Fazilka Fazilka-152123 Subject: Flood expectancy and unplanned development in the flood prone areas of Satluj River basin at Fazilka. Dear Sir, The undersigned applicant vide this letter wants to draw your kind attention towards the grave environmental crisis occurring due to the unheeded colonization of various tracts of eco – fragile zones of Fazillka. The applicant as a public spirited citizen of the town is writing the present letter to highlight few glaring facts which urgently needs to be attended in view of possibility of floods in the region as per the warning of the Bhakra Beas Management Board, so that necessary preparations may readily be made, beforehand to meet out the contingency. -
Vide this letter I want to highlight the recent cautions issued by Bhakhra Beas
Management Board (BBMB) against the possibilities of floods during this monsoon season. Last week, the level of Bhakhra reservoir went up to 1628.87ft which was 84 ft higher comparison to 2012.This will have worse impact at FAZILKA REGION BECAUSE OF ITS GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION BEING AT LOWEST ELEVATION POINT OF RIVER SATLUJ, IN PUNJAB. High intensity floods were observed at Fazilka in during 1988-90 periods and massive damage was occurred at Fazilka during that time this year, as per the warning issued by BBMB, snowmelt and heavy rains are highest in the past 23 years and if without learning from past, the traditional flood protection approach was adopted, further more disaster is expected. FAZILKA IS SITUATED ALONGSIDE THE BANKS OF BADHA Page No. 1
LAKE, an important natural wetland and eco sensitive zone. Every year this lake used to get recharged with fresh water from Satluj during monsoon season. Then Badha Lake was spread in more than 200 acre of area. This natural cycle of charging up low lying area with fresh water situated at the northern boundary of Fazilka city was not only supporting the flora and fauna of the region but also protecting the Fazilka city from northern side flood furry sometime arose due to overflow in the river Satluj during floods. This area was well documented in the district disaster management plan of Ferozpur till 2010. Due to formation of Fazilka as district, no separate District Disaster Management plan has been made public, nor any district website has been made functional in support of that; I would like to draw following points into your kind consideration; 1. As per Notified Punjab District Gazetteers Volume XXX A Ferozpore District 1915, Chapter I A Clause (c) (iii) Drainage Channel Page 6, paragraph two, states that “in the muktsar Tahsil there is the Sotar depression which carries water down to the Badha Jheel at Fazilka. Above the Danda also there are some drainage channels; the most clearly marked of these is the so-called Moga Nala which entering the tahsil, at Ajitwal ruuns through Moga itself and passes into Faridokot in the neighbourhood of Bhalur�. From above statement of notified gazette of important drainage system, Badha Jheel (Lake) wetland served a great purpose. 2. Badha low lying area is a historical lake and it is a part of eastern river network mainly Sutlej, as defined under the Indus Waters Treaty between the Republic of India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank (then the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development), which was signed in Karachi on September 19, 1960. This low lying area of Badha Lake falls between the Harike Pattan and Sulemanki Headwork. 3. Due to Geographical position of Badha lake catchment, as per the notification No. 155 dated 5th March, 1916, under the provisions of Section 5 (3) of the Punjab Municipal Page No. 2
Act, III of 1911 the Lieutenant-Governor was fixed the northern boundary of the Municipality of Fazilka city as Bund of Badha Lake. Location of Fazilka town w.r.t. Badha lake is well documented in the survey of India maps. Complete map cannot be reproduce and its part carrying significance importance and location of Badha lake is shown below; Sheet No. 44(J/3): Map Scale 1: 50,000 | Surveyed 1974-75 under supervision of Major General Girish Chandra Aggarwal, SGI, and Published in 1983. Due to the map policy of India,
The applicant is highlighting all above fact for the reason that due to the gradual erosion of the feed of the Badha lake, due to the heavy construction in the passage of the its feeder line or the catchment area of the stream, in the present season with Bhakra Dam overflowing there is a heavy danger of a calamity of magnitude of one in Uttrakhand occurring this year, as water if released from the dam will inundate the region which will Page No. 3
cause heavy floods in the region. In such a situation the magnitude of loss of human and property will be immeasurable. A very important fact which needs your kind attention is that Bund of Badha Lake (Khasra Number 91, 92, 93), area along Alamshah Distributory, presently defines the northern municipal boundary limits of city Fazilka and act as a safety bundh to protect Fazilka against flood. As per the information obtained under Right to Information Act 2005 from the District Forest and Wildlife Preservation Department, Ferozpur Division informed that around there are about 400 trees standing at the Badha Lake Bund, where PUDA has proposed colony. THESE 400 TREES ARE ACTUALLY REINFORCING THE BUND FROM SOIL EROSION. Now, due to upcoming colony proposed by PUDA in the flood plain areas of Badha Lake, if these 400 trees would be uprooted, it would be disastrous for the city and also for the residents who will be living in those houses. (Annexure I- True and Translated Copy of RTI Reply citing importance of 400 trees situated at Bank of Badha Lake) 4. In the year 2000, Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST) warned State Government and District Administration of Ferozpur District in their report that the conservation of Badha wetlands and its surroundings is very essential. Now dry lake bed of Badha Lake and its tributaries become favorite hotspot for encroachers and sand miners. These activities and illegal construction are blocking the natural water way of Satluj River tributaries, which are connecting Main River with low lying areas like Badha Lake. This is simply calling situation like Uttrakhand, which causes major devastation due to illegal construction in the catchment areas of River Ganga accelerated the water current and caused major devastation along river banks. 5. That incessant illegal colonizing activity in the area of the lake has already caused inestimable damage to the ecology of the region. Furthermore, population living the Page No. 4
colonies established in the catchment zone is more prone to danger as an overflow in water stream will cause water to enter the region as constructions are standing in the way of natural flow of the stream, otherwise dormant for now. It is important to mention that several cases have been registered against the encroachers and illegal colonizers by Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) itself, details of which are given hereunder: Name of Party and Village Area of Illegal Colony;
Letter number and date from this PUDA Office to SSP, Ferozpur (Now Part of Fazilka District) for registration of FIR against illegal colonies
1) Smt. Nelam Rani etc(BADHA)
1)3733 dated 23-10-2007
2) Sh. Tehal Singh (BADHA)
2)177 dated 12-02-2009
3) Smt. Sunita Rani (BADHA)
3) 2310 dated 29-12-2008
4) Smt Santi Devi (BADHA)
4) 965 dated 18-08-2009
5) Dhanvanti Devi etc.
5) 2314 dated 29-12-2008
6) Sh. Charan singh(BADHA)
6) 934 dated 21-04-2008
7) Smt. Saroj Rani etc.(BADHA)
7) Case Discharge
8) Sh. Gaurav Kuma etc.(BADHA)
8) 988 dated 20.08.2009
From the above facts, it is very clear that Badha lake area, its bund and plantation of 400 trees on Bund are very important part of the drainage network of Fazilka region and has carry great important in order to save city from flood fury. Thorough this letter, I hereby request you to kindly take necessary action against cutting of trees for unscientifically planned colony by PUDA and also against the encroachers under section IPC 432 causing a danger to the lives of several inhabitants living in the danger zone, under section 55 of Northern India Canal & Drainage Act, 1873 or any other applicable law in order to ensure the life and liberty of the citizen of India guaranteed under Article 21 of Constitution of India. Page No. 5
Looking forward a prompt action in this regard to save the future of the city and citizen of Fazilka. Looking forward your strong and early action in this regards, Thanking You, With Kindest Regards,
Navdeep Asija +91.9464413323 Cc : 1. National Disaster Management Authority, NDMA Bhawan, A-1, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi 2. National Green Tribunal, Van Vigyan Bhawan, Sector-V, R K Puram, New Delhi-110022 3. Punjab Urban Development Authority, PUDA/BDA Complex, Bhagu Road, Bathinda (Punjab)
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ANNEXURE- I From: Forest Range Officer, Fazilka To, Navdeep Kumar Asija VI/118, Baba Namdev Nagar, Near T.V. Tower, Fazilka-152123 No. :
158
Date: 29th August 2012
Subject: Information under Right to Information Act 2005, Fazilka Badha Lake Area Reference: Public Information Officer cum Divisional Forest Officer Letter 1782 dated 6 June 2012 1. With reference to above motioned letter, there are total 355 trees are standing in the different Khasra number of Proposed Colony ( additional 45 small trees are also standing at the same location) 2. There will be adverse impact on the biodiversity and environment of Fazilka By cutting/uprooting of these trees. 3. In Fazilka Forest Range no information related to Flora and Fauna of this area is available. 4. Five Pictures of Trees standing in Badha Lake area are attached with this letter. Above information is submitted to you as desired by you. Sd/Forest Range Officer, Fazilka No.: _____________________ Date: _______________________ Copy of the above letter is being sent to Divisional Range Officer, Ferozpur vides their letter number Letter 1782 dated 6 June 2012 Sd/Forest Range Officer, Fazilka
True and Translated Copy
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