Ripsana - A dying river
River Rispana has been converted to a dumping ground. The river is a seasonal river and a lifeline of the city but if one reaches the river, one is forced to pinch one's nostrils because of the foul smell that emanates from it.
THE RIVER Rispana in Dehradun has been converted into a receptacle of garbage and sewage. The river is a seasonal river and a lifeline of the city, unfortunately it is fast turning into a dumping ground. If one reaches the river, one is forced to pinch his nostrils because of the foul smell that emanates from it. The river is highly polluted and the solid waste consists of polythene bags that are dumped into it in large quantities.
Adding to the situation, is the increasing number of encroachments on the river bed. "I think that the existing unauthorised colonies which have mushroomed on either side of its banks are taking the shape of slums and shanty colonies, which is responsible for the contamination of its water and high level of pollution content in it," says Om Prakash Shukla, a resident of Vikas Lok. "I find it very strange that the authorities are not taking any stringent steps to curb the menace by relocating slums to other areas. One should not forget that the two rivers Bindal and Rispana are very important as they are the only outlets for rain water, thus preventing the city from being engulfed from flood waters," adds Shukla.
Echoing the same sentiment, Rashmi Srivastava, a concerned resident of Raipur Road says, “Where there is a will there is a way but things seem to be different here; the authorities are not taking any concrete steps. If you notice the river has narrowed down by the construction of "Pushtas" on either side of the bank. Further one can also notice the high magnitude of encroachments on either side which are fast taking the shape of permanent structures at an alarming rate." A clear picture can be seen near 'Chunna Bhatta'. “Lot of dairies both illegal and legal further add to the problem by dumping their waste in the river thus giving it an ugly look". "I think that it is all a game of politics and nothing else; these politicians are only bothered about their votebanks and nothing else; all these unauthorised colonies are being converted to authorised ones by issuing ration cards to the slum dwellers. Rather they should be relocated somewhere else," says an annoyed Vipin Gupta, a resident of Cement Road. "Various non governmental organizations should step ahead and generate awareness among the people about the conservation of the river and the environment. No doubt there are a few such bodies working but there should be more participation from them," adds Gupta.
According to a study there are at least 10000 encroachments along the Rispana River. One can see the example of lawlessness when the river bed is used by some public conveyance operators as places for parking. Truckers that operate between Dehradun and other hill districts can be seen lined up on the Rispana river, down the Vidhan Sabha Rispana bridge. The Master Plan-2025 calls for developing these rivers banks as green belts to enhance the beauty of the city. Meanwhile, speaking to Doon Plus, Sushil Kumar Mukhaya Nagar Adhikari said,"I think people are also responsible and they should also think twice before dumping garbage in the river." There is a plan in the pipeline where the safi karamcharis will collect the garbage from every householdfor a nominal charge of Rs5 to Rs10.
He further added that in July 2008, there was a Safai Abhiyan on a few stretches, on Baghat Singh colony and Mohini Road," said the Nagar Aayukt. He also pointed out that there are ten NGOs who are creating awareness among the local masses and that a solid waste management treatment plant was being proposed.
Echoing the same sentiment, Rashmi Srivastava, a concerned resident of Raipur Road says, “Where there is a will there is a way but things seem to be different here; the authorities are not taking any concrete steps. If you notice the river has narrowed down by the construction of "Pushtas" on either side of the bank. Further one can also notice the high magnitude of encroachments on either side which are fast taking the shape of permanent structures at an alarming rate." A clear picture can be seen near 'Chunna Bhatta'. “Lot of dairies both illegal and legal further add to the problem by dumping their waste in the river thus giving it an ugly look". "I think that it is all a game of politics and nothing else; these politicians are only bothered about their votebanks and nothing else; all these unauthorised colonies are being converted to authorised ones by issuing ration cards to the slum dwellers. Rather they should be relocated somewhere else," says an annoyed Vipin Gupta, a resident of Cement Road. "Various non governmental organizations should step ahead and generate awareness among the people about the conservation of the river and the environment. No doubt there are a few such bodies working but there should be more participation from them," adds Gupta.
According to a study there are at least 10000 encroachments along the Rispana River. One can see the example of lawlessness when the river bed is used by some public conveyance operators as places for parking. Truckers that operate between Dehradun and other hill districts can be seen lined up on the Rispana river, down the Vidhan Sabha Rispana bridge. The Master Plan-2025 calls for developing these rivers banks as green belts to enhance the beauty of the city. Meanwhile, speaking to Doon Plus, Sushil Kumar Mukhaya Nagar Adhikari said,"I think people are also responsible and they should also think twice before dumping garbage in the river." There is a plan in the pipeline where the safi karamcharis will collect the garbage from every householdfor a nominal charge of Rs5 to Rs10.
He further added that in July 2008, there was a Safai Abhiyan on a few stretches, on Baghat Singh colony and Mohini Road," said the Nagar Aayukt. He also pointed out that there are ten NGOs who are creating awareness among the local masses and that a solid waste management treatment plant was being proposed.
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