KOLKATA: VisvaBharati University (VBU) acting registrar Mani MukutMitra informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Eastern Zone Bench through an affidavit that the university doesn't have adequate resources to tackle the pollution that occurs during the three-day PoushMelaorganised in Santiniketan every year. The bench was hearing a petition against the severe pollution and generation of solid waste during PoushMela that attracts people from across the country and abroad.
"VBU is a central university and runs on funds provided by UGC. No UGC funds are earmarked for plastic waste management and solid waste management and the university, by itself, doesn't have the resources to tackle this during PousMela that attracts thousands of visitors each year. At other times also, thousands of tourists visit Santiniketan and stay in nearby hotels and lodges in the Bolpur municipal and adjoining panchayat areas. This results in severe pollution and it is beyond the capacity of the university to deal with a problem of this magnitude. The central and state governments should intervene to save and protect Santiniketan from this problem," the affidavit states.
Mitra has further stated that it is the Santiniketan Trust that seeks permission from VBU to organize the mela every year. After the university grants permission, the Trust takes whatever further steps are necessary to organize the event. While permission is granted to the Trust for three days, another day is allowed for the stalls to be dismantled and the ground to be cleared. The registrar mentions that in reality, it takes another 10-12 days for the mela to wound up.
"During this period, accumulation of plastic waste and municipal solid waste reaches an extreme point and it becomes impossible for teachers, staff and students to conduct their normal activities in classrooms, laboratories and offices. Several times police help was sought by VBU but it did not receive expected co-operation from their end. From the fourth day, the mela continues for 10-12 days unofficially without electricity, fire protection and sanitation. There are no policemen or volunteers to maintain discipline and keep the grounds pollution free," Mitra has added.
The affidavit goes on to state how illegal stall owners use generators and loud speakers till late in the evening, thereby causing more pollution. The registrar maintains that VBU does not earn any revenue from the Trust or stall owners but has to incur expenses. "For nearly two weeks after the end of the mela, there is no sanitation the ground and no management of plastic waste or solid waste, which degrades the environment to no end," the affidavit states.
After going through the affidavit, the NGT added the Trust, SantiniketanSriniketan Development Authority and the Bolpur Municipality as parties in the matter. The district magistrate was also directed to visit VBU campus and ensure disposal of plastic waste and municipal solid waste after consultations with all agencies involved.
