“Save Mula River Initiative”: Pune Hinjawadi Residents Rally to Protect Vital Water Source
Pune/Hinjawadi: The residents of Blue Ridge Township in Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park, Phase 1, spearheaded an awareness campaign titled “Save Mula River Initiative.” The campaign aimed to draw attention to the alarming pollution levels in the Mula River, a crucial water source for the township and several other communities along its banks.
Pollution Concerns Escalate
The Mula River has historically been the lifeline for many, but recent years have seen its condition deteriorate alarmingly. Pollution has rendered the river’s water unsafe for consumption, and no amount of treatment can make its water safe for drinking. This has caused considerable concern among local residents, prompting them to take action.
Community Response
The “Save Mula River Initiative” event was held at the Marina Lawns of Blue Ridge Township on April 20, 2024 from 9.30 am onwards and saw robust participation from hundreds of concerned citizens. Volunteers had worked tirelessly to gather awareness and support this event.
The core team of volunteers, who had been working tirelessly behind the scenes for over three months for saving this river were instrumental in organizing this awareness event.
Shashank Paranjape, Managing Director of Paranjape Schemes (Construction) Ltd., also attended the event, recalling the once pristine state of the river. He offered to support the cause in any way possible.
Despite the blazing sun and unbearable heat, hundreds of participants and volunteers gathered to lend their support and show solidarity towards the cause.
The event was organized with the participants divided amongst two groups:
- Blue Group: Participants conducted a silent march to the river bank, culminating in a human formation spelling out “MULA.” They pledged a collective commitment to ongoing efforts to restore the river.
- Green Group: Those unable to march participated in activities back at the Marina Lawns, which included environmental storytelling for children, poetry recitations, and antakshari with an environmental theme.
The event organizers made it clear that their objective was not protest but awareness and engagement. The activities were designed to foster a deeper understanding among community members of the significant challenges facing the river and the broader environmental impacts of its continued degradation.
Broader Implications
The plight of the Mula River is not an isolated issue. It reflects a larger environmental crisis affecting rivers across the region and globally. Participants of the “Save Mula River Initiative” expressed a collective concern for not only their water source but the health of all rivers. They stressed the importance of broader community action in addressing these environmental challenges.
About Mula River
The Mula River, 22 kilometers long, originates in the Sahyadri Mountains of the Western Ghats and plays a critical role in the region’s ecology. It is a primary water source for countless communities before it merges with the Mutha and Bhima rivers and eventually reaches the Bay of Bengal. The river’s name, derived from the Marathi word “mool,” underscores its fundamental importance to the region.
Conclusion
The “Save Mula River Initiative” serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for community-driven environmental stewardship. With increasing awareness and collective action, there is hope that the Mula River, and others like it, can be restored to their former glory, ensuring clean water and a healthy environment for future generations.
