Bhiwandi, the city that is known for its contribution to the textile industry is the state’s largest power loom hub. However, all the sewage from the looms is being dumped into the water bodies resulting in their deterioration.
The Kamwari river, a port during the British era is now one such polluted river. The river which was once used to carry around cargo is now the size of a meager stream. And the increasing industrialisation and urbanisation on its banks have led it to the current state. Seventy years ago, Kamwari was tribunary of Ulhas river and joined the Thane Creek.
However, around 50 students from Shree Hallari Visa Oswal College of Commerce, Bhiwandi, have grouped with a mission to revive Kamwari river.
Looking at the gravity of the situation, the students approached the authorities for a solution. A meeting was arranged between the Thane District Collector’s Office, Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation and the principal of the college. The waterman of India, Rajendra Singh who is an inhabitant of Rajasthan, was also present at the meeting.
At the meeting, the significance of conserving rivers and the set of measures to revive Kamwari were discussed in order to manage the catastrophe.
Snehal Donde, the principal of Oswal College of Commerce told Hindustan Times,
For the last 20 years, the river is deteriorating. The industries in the vicinity have been discharging chemical effluents into the river. For around four months in a year, the river is completely dry. A wall was built to separate the polluted water but it has broken.”
She also emphasised that the students would now begin by removing filth and planting trees around the riverbed.
Rajendra Singh further explained that conservation of water is a measure that not only the country but entire world needs be responsive to. He tells that youngsters need to make the task of conserving the water to their priority and the plans for it must be devised wisely.
Akshay Patil, a student expressed his concerns about the deteriorated condition and how it has been parched since November. He said that there was enough water for villages upstream but as soon as it entered Bhiwandi, the current weakened.
The students are determined to fight back against the current conditions and declared to clean the lakes after this. But isn’t the duty to keep the water bodies unadulterated, a collective responsibility?