Environmentalists urge govt to run tests, come up with strategy to keep rivers clean

It will also provide in serving our common purpose for the benefit of community and environment as a whole, and to end the exploitation and destruction of environment by those who seek personal profits rather than long-term benefits," said Shailaja Deshpande, director of Jeevitnadi.

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NGOs and experts working in the environment sector will be happy to give all the support and assistance if required by authorities,” Shailaja Deshpande said. (Representational Photo)

With reports of water bodies looking clean and the eco-system near water bodies flourishing due to much lower levels of pollution during the nationwide lockdown, an NGO, Jeevitnadi, has reached out to the state government, urging it to use this opportunity to study the condition of water bodies and sources of pollution, to formulate a better strategy to keep them clean.

“A report on the water quality will provide baseline data to reorient strategy for environmental norms for restoring the rivers back to their own glory. It will also provide in serving our common purpose for the benefit of community and environment as a whole, and to end the exploitation and destruction of environment by those who seek personal profits rather than long-term benefits,” said Shailaja Deshpande, director of Jeevitnadi.

In a communication to state Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray, she said that many NGOs and individuals have been monitoring water quality at locations in other parts of the country. “But the lockdown makes it impossible for us to do so. NGOs and experts working in the environment sector will be happy to give all the support and assistance if required by authorities,” Deshpande said, urging the state government to test water bodies at various locations. “I request you to organise collection of water quality samples as specified by CPCB guidelines, including testing levels of pesticides and heavy metals at entry and exit point of… every confluence of every river in the state,”read the letter.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune, a role that reflects his seniority and editorial Authority. He is a highly specialized journalist whose work demonstrates significant Expertise in the critical areas of urban development, governance, and sustainability, often linking policy to its on-the-ground impact across Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Editorial Role: As an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Ajay Jadhav contributes to the editorial direction and maintains high standards of Trustworthiness and quality in his reporting. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on the intersection of infrastructure, politics, and social development, with expertise in: Infrastructure and Civic Issues: Provides in-depth coverage of crucial development and urban governance topics. His work includes reporting on the glaring contrast between planned infrastructure projects (like private helipads) and the lack of basic facilities (schools and hospitals) in politically significant areas, highlighting accountability gaps. Politics and Governance: Consistently reports on political developments, scrutinizing decision-making that affects public life and development initiatives in Maharashtra. Sustainable Development & Environment: Demonstrates a commitment to responsible development by reporting on initiatives that successfully protect the environment while ensuring essential infrastructure development. Investigative and Policy Impact: National Impact: Ajay has written notable research articles on Conservancy staff which achieved a nationwide impact by directly contributing to the framing of policies aimed at improving the working conditions of waste-handling laborers. This demonstrates his capacity for impactful, evidence-based journalism. Additional Interests Personal Engagement: His background as a trekker and sports enthusiast suggests a keen personal interest in the environment and outdoor spaces, which likely informs his detailed and passionate reporting on sustainable development and civic issues. Ajay Jadhav's sustained focus on governance, his track record of high-impact policy-shaping research, and his critical eye for infrastructure gaps establish him as a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis in Pune and Maharashtra. ... Read More

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