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Maharashtra: Environmentalists and activists irate at minister's new dam solution

Kadam visited river Godavari at Gharpure ghat, Ramkund, Tapovan and also the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Tapovan while he was in Nashik to address the Godavari pollution issue.

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Maharashtra State Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam's plans of building a new dam in the upper Godavari stream above the Gangapur dam, to resolve the problem of pollution has environmentalists up in arms.

Kadam visited river Godavari at Gharpure ghat, Ramkund, Tapovan and also the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Tapovan while he was in Nashik to address the Godavari pollution issue.

While he suggested building a dam, the activists said that he appeared oblivious to facts. "The minister was perhaps not informed that according to the water sharing plan, Gangapur dam built in 1956 has the first right to water of the Godavari," pointed out Devang Jani who has filed a PIL in High Court demanding de-concretisation of the bed of the river.

Jani also stated that it was very disappointing that the minister did not speak of workable solutions like de-concretisation or strengthening of STPs.

Rajesh Pandit, who is fighting a PIL regarding the pollution in Godavari said, "It was expected that the minister would ask the authorities to follow the orders of the court regarding freeing Godavari of the pollution. However solution of a new dam seems only illogical. De-concretization, recharging of aquifer, and 100 percent water harvesting are proper means to reduce pollution."

Activists also state that there is no permission to build a dam bigger than five TMC in the upper Godavari basin. Under the equal justice for distribution of water, the water of the Godavari is to be shared with Marathwada, the project affected people of the earlier built weirs above Gangapur – Kashyapi and Kikawi are still fighting for compensation for past eight years.

Parineeta Dandekar, Associate Coordinator, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People said it was ironic that the suggestion came from a minister when the State Government has banned building of dams upstream Jaikwadi dam in the upper Godavari basin. "The release of environmental flow from the Gangapur dam itself will be more important than ensuring flow from a new dam. Steps should be taken to ensure that the Godavari is not harmed any further than it already has been," she said.

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