Time to revert to river-oriented urban development approach

25-04-14


By Kartik Lokhande 

Centuries ago, the planners and the rulers favoured settlements closer to the water bodies. Now, planners and rulers are thinking regularly to bring more and more water from distant bodies/rivers to suffice the ever-rising demand in cities. What has led to things changing to this extent? The only answer that comes to one’s mind is -- purposeful neglect of natural and man-made water systems!
The most unfortunate part is that the neglect has continued for years together in many cities across the country including the present-day city of Nagpur. Though the authorities concerned may perform their duty by denying such neglect, the fact remains that Nagpur city is getting water supply from far-away Pench reservoir through projects like Pench Phase-I, Phase-II, Phase-III, Phase-IV... Also remains the fact that lakes and rivers in the city are polluted and converted into nullahs or open gutters. This also highlights that at some point in history, the vision of our forefathers -- to base development of habitation considering course/flow of a river and making concerted efforts to create lakes/reservoirs to cater to the future demand -- was lost.
Where was it lost then? If one takes a look at the present-day cityscape, one realises that the vision was not actually ‘lost’ but ‘compromised’ in the name of encouraging ‘development’. As a result, while taller structures pierced through the city-sky, horizontally expanding city-scape slowly shrunk the expanse of the water bodies. Then came the ‘fine the violator’ regime encouraging violations as payment of fine would ensure ‘compounding’. Spot inspections of various sites and factual reporting of the same started becoming rare over the years. By the time, it was felt that water bodies were needed to suffice the demand of the horizontally and vertically growing city, it was too late. Even the groundwater was lifted to suffice the need, depleting the levels. The rivers had turned into open gutters. Nag ‘river’ was reduced to the status of a ‘nullah’. In the process, man-made systems that linked various water bodies including rivers and ponds/lakes were interrupted and the water-fronts defaced.
After so many years, once again, there is talk of preservation, linking of water bodies, groundwater recharge, water-front development etc. But, much of it remains only the ‘talk’ and do not translate into actions as scientific and technical bases are missing. Against the backdrop of beginning of a scientific action, as was seen in the meeting held at Divisional Commissionerate on Friday, it is essential to maintain the course of action. In this task, the
‘Revised Toolkit for Preparation of City Development Plan’ issued under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) in April 2013, becomes an important document.
The said document links conservation of the heritage of water bodies to future development of a city. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) also has initiated the process of preparing the revised City Development Plan (CDP), and is also going to prepare a ‘Master Plan’ for preservation of Nag river and water bodies in the city. Considering this, points mentioned in ‘Preservation and Rejuvenation of Water Bodies’ in the JnNURM toolkit for CDP come in handy for NMC and other authorities also.
First and foremost, the JnNURM toolkit identifies the water bodies as part of ‘most important secular and sacred heritage’. At the same time, it spells out the key issues pertaining to preservation of water bodies in cities. These issues include pollution of water bodies through direct discharge of domestic sewage, industrial and chemical wastes, encroachments of water bodies, ‘lack of institutional coordination and resources ultimately leading to unhygienic condition of lakes and ponds in the city.’ Hence, it defines three goals -- preservation of water bodies, linking of water bodies and groundwater recharge, and water-front development with proposed achievement time horizon of 2021.
To achieve these goals, it is important to assess the values of a water body with regard to its ‘natural, cultural, and social heritage.’ Strategy has to be framed to preserve valuable assets and aspect while improving the quality of the water and its use, and quality of the public space around the water body. “On a priority basis, the lakes and ponds which are encroached upon need to be identified and a strategy for eviction should be framed. A simple but effective strategy may be a participatory awareness campaign followed by a relocation and resettlement plan for the temporary settlements in and around the water bodies, prepared in consultation with the affected individuals,” states the JnNURM toolkit.
Under the ‘Preservation of Water Bodies’ programme, civic body has to conduct a study to identify polluted lakes and ponds. Later, civic authorities have to ‘re-route’ the domestic sewage outfalls, nallahs, and chemical wastes that are being discharged directly into the water bodies. Desilting of ponds and lakes may be taken up to increase the holding capacity, and proper catchment treatment is also required to maintain the quality of water. Further, a comprehensive plan may be prepared to link the water bodies to distribute the collected storm water equally, and reduce chances of overflow and flooding.
A deeper thought has been given while preparing the toolkit for preparation of CDP. This is reflected in a simple suggestion to prepare a plan for construction of recharge wells at the bottom of the water bodies leading towards ground water recharge, especially in the cities located in arid and semi-arid regions and in the cities where rainfall pattern is very erratic. The comprehensive water front (river or lake) development plan should cover components like amusement park, walk ways, cycle track, boating facilities, open air theatre etc. But, while doing so, compliance with environmental legislations and ‘social and cultural sanctity’ of the place is essential.
With a good beginning, it is time to revert to the ancient wisdom of taking river-oriented or water body-oriented approach to development. Of course, only time will tell is the authorities concerned take the task seriously and effect urban correction...

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