Lake chokes as hundreds pour in to observe Chaiti Chhath
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Flouting the NGT ban
A few hundreds of devotees swarmed Rabindra Sarobar for Chaiti Chhath on Thursday evening, flouting the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban on religious ceremonies at the Lake.
Women, dressed in finery and carrying puja offerings in baskets and banana bunches on their shoulders, began streaming in shortly after 4pm to secure a spot along the waterbody's edge.
By 5pm, over 300 devotees had arrived, swarming in from near Menoka Cinema Hall.
They trampled saplings, plucked flowers and dumped offerings, vermilion and oil in the water.
Though it was relatively small compared to the full-fledged Chhath, the extent of damage caused during this festival was quite significant.
Women, dressed in finery and carrying puja offerings in baskets and banana bunches on their shoulders, began streaming in shortly after 4pm to secure a spot along the waterbody's edge.
By 5pm, over 300 devotees had arrived, swarming in from near Menoka Cinema Hall.
They trampled saplings, plucked flowers and dumped offerings, vermilion and oil in the water.
Though it was relatively small compared to the full-fledged Chhath, the extent of damage caused during this festival was quite significant.
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Deteriorating eco-system
Dhakuria Lake's importance to Kolkata's overall well-being cannot be overstated.
"We must also keep in mind that the eco-system in and around the lake is fragile; even one day of irresponsible behaviour can lead to irreparable damage. Both government agencies and citizens are responsible for the Lake's health and must behave accordingly," said environmentalist Somendra Mohan Ghosh.
"We must also keep in mind that the eco-system in and around the lake is fragile; even one day of irresponsible behaviour can lead to irreparable damage. Both government agencies and citizens are responsible for the Lake's health and must behave accordingly," said environmentalist Somendra Mohan Ghosh.
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Futile to stop them
There were a few police personnel who tried to stop the devotees on Thursday evening.
Arguments ensued as the number of devotees grew and police found it futile to try to stop them.
Arguments ensued as the number of devotees grew and police found it futile to try to stop them.
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Legal fight
The legal fight for the ravaged ecosystem at Rabindra Sarobar began in 2013 in Calcutta High Court.
After the formation of NGT, the cases were transferred there.
The NGT, in its first ruling in 2016, said Chhath Puja rituals could not be performed at the Sarobar.
The Rashtriya Bihari Samaj (RBS) moved court then, claiming that a judgement as important as this could not be given just 10 days before the puja as it would be difficult to find a new venue.
The court had then allowed the group to perform rituals at the Lake that year, but maintained that no one should be allowed to bring in flowers, oil or other polluting substances.
But all the rulings were grossly violated. In 2018, too, Chhath devotees violated the NGT order.
After the formation of NGT, the cases were transferred there.
The NGT, in its first ruling in 2016, said Chhath Puja rituals could not be performed at the Sarobar.
The Rashtriya Bihari Samaj (RBS) moved court then, claiming that a judgement as important as this could not be given just 10 days before the puja as it would be difficult to find a new venue.
The court had then allowed the group to perform rituals at the Lake that year, but maintained that no one should be allowed to bring in flowers, oil or other polluting substances.
But all the rulings were grossly violated. In 2018, too, Chhath devotees violated the NGT order.