The draft environment status report (ESR) of the municipal corporation which will be tabled at the general body meeting on Friday has stated that unabated growth in Pimpri-Chinchwad has resulted in depletion of natural resources affecting the quality of life. According to the report, there is an alarming Pimpri Chinchwad, the fifth most populous city in the state, needs a sustainable development plan, as natural resources like agriculture land, ground water, lakes, and forest areas are depleting, says the draft environment status report of the municipal corporation.

there is an

rise in pollution levels in the Pavana, Mula and Indrayani rivers, but Pavana, which covers a distance of 20 km in the city, has emerged as the most polluted of the three rivers. Similarly, a noise pollution survey conducted at 10 locations within the municipal limits shows that the day and night noise levels have exceeded the standards set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Incidentally, it is after a gap of three years that the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has prepared an ESR.

The report has attributed the startling rise in pollution to development of automobile, education and IT sectors that resulted in steady rise in population. It also emphasizes on the immediate need to combat the problem areas. The report says: "The municipal corporation should take special efforts to combat the problems and should also engage NGOs, citizens' groups and private companies in its efforts."

The report has once again highlighted the high pollution levels of Pavana, Mula and Indrayani rivers, besides air and noise pollution exceeding the stipulated limits, it has suggested that the municipal corporation should take special efforts to combat the problems with the help of NGOs, citizens groups, and private firms. The report (for the year 2012-13), which will be tabled at the general body meeting on Saturday, says the environmental status of different components within the municipal corporation area is mostly in alarming condition. Incidentally, it is after three years that the municipal corporation has prepared the environment status report (ESR).

The report says, due to development of automobile, education and IT sectors, population of PCMC area is increasing rapidly, resulting in depletion of natural resources. The present uncontrolled and unsustainable growth pattern of the city is affecting the quality of life''. Based on water characteristics, Pavana river appears to be highly polluted, in comparison to Mula and Indrayani rivers. The Pavana river covers a large distance of about 20 km through the city. Similarly, a survey about noise pollution at ten locations revealed that the levels exceeded the standards of the Central Pollution Control Board both during day and night.

Considering the present and future demands and uncertain monsoon pattern over the years, there is an urgent need for provision of rain water harvesting, the report suggests. "Citizens should be encouraged and incentivized to segregate garbage at source, while the PCMC should also develop dedicated footpaths and cycling tracks to encourage cycling and walking practices." The report also cites examples of how citizens are helping in the preservation of environment.

Municipal commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi said, "The report will emerge as a more comprehensive document to play a vital role in aligning developmental policies in line with the environment." The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), he says, has developed a common format for the ESR along with framework indicators for assessment and comparison of environmental performance of the cities within the state.

According to the municipal commissioner, the PCMC has made an effort to structure the report using environmental media framework methodology, in which information is categorized based on environmental media like social environment, air, water, solid waste and other aspects.

Action plan suggested

Develop a sustainable development plan which should be followed strictly

Develop dedicated footpaths and cycling tracks to encourage cycling and walking practices

Improve living standards in slums by providing basic amenities like clean drinking water, quick disposal of garbage, sanitation facilities and toilets for women

Make a provision for counseling, considering the increasing number of HIV cases in city

Demarcate boundaries of rivers and lakes to prevent encroachments

Indentify sources of pollutants, including chemicals from agriculture run off and city sewage entering the river

Encourage rain water harvesting, garbage segregation at source

No vehicle zones in various parts of the city

On river pollution

Based on water characteristics, Pavana river appears to be most polluted, compared to Mula and Indrayani rivers. The pollution has risen mainly due to discharge of nallah water, untreated sewage, cremation waste and industrial waste. Water of all the three rivers appears to be unsuitable for aquaculture, or any other human use

On noise pollution

A survey of noise pollution in silent zones at 10 locations has revealed that noise levels exceeded the CPCB standards both during day and night. PCMC should undertake strict vigilance to maintain the desired noise levels in the silence zones

Citizens' efforts in Pimpri Chinchwad to protect the environment

Vikas Patil, environment activist and member of Maharashtra State environment committee, is involved in various activities for conservation and development of environment

Suhas Joshi: Woods society of 300 flats in Wakad area is treating household solid waste on its premises

Umesh Waghela (Ornithologist): Brings about public awareness about birds through presentations

Manik Dharmadhikari: Planted 2,500 trees and has been active in promoting tree plantation and solid waste management

Somnath Marne: Planned and implemented 1,237 rain water harvesting projects

Naveen Punawale: Developed a terrace garden and uses vermin-compost that he develops from kitchen waste

Vasudev Shirsat: A PCMC employee, he has developed saplings, planted and nourished about 350 fruit trees in the water treatment plant premises

Dhananjay Shedbale, Nigdi: Works with Nisarg Mitra and Group, has distributed 10,000 plants in nearby areas, prefers using bicycle and public transport for travelling

Abasaheb Jangale, Sangvi: Developed a terrace garden, uses compost developed from household kitchen waste. He has used broken plastic bottles and scraps for plantations

AIR POLLUTION

(RSPM: Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter)

RSPM levels in Residential (Res) and Industrial (Ind) areas

Month Res 2010 Ind 2010 Res 2011 Ind 2011 Res 2012 Ind 2012

Standard 100 100 100 100 100 100

Jan 163 166 170 154 181.44 213.37

Feb 136.30 167.60 150.50 155.80 167.88 204.22

Mar 116.62 106.40 129.00 138.90 151.21 115.50

April 81.23 78.00 78.92 108.60 78.58 111.00

May 53.00 53.33 55.30 71.13 60.82 69.22

June 41.42 32.90 -- 72.67 39.55 45.00

July 40.73 36.22 57.58 76.00 34.94 39.87

Aug 35.74 32.63 43.21 86.56 25.64 34.11

Sept 38.96 42.22 61.92 72.43 40.87 54.11

Oct 74.36 89.11 113.60 104.20 64.47 85.56

Nov 80.04 94.75 175.00 170.60 119.00 131.75

Dec 143.22 -- 208.60 256.88 114.81 145.50