AGARTALA, Nov 25 (TIWN): Although since years various initiatives were taken to save the waterbody of Kalyan Sagar at Matabari Tripureshwari Temple, also to maintain its purity of water to save the rare N-Nigrican Bostami Turtles, but Gomati District Administration miserably failed to preserve the purity of the water even after 15 days of Annual Diwali festival at Tipura Sundari Temple. More than 2000 police personnel were engaged around the lake, also in the premises of Matabari temple. Even Gomati District DM Sonal Goel was seen busy in giving numerous media interviews to TV channels beside the lake during Diwali, but sadly even after 15 days of the Diwali festival, the lake is found full of dirts, plastic bags, papers, bottles and other accessories which in turn killing the rare N-Nigrican Bostami Turtles. Even Tripura High Court asked Govt to take proper care of Kalyan Sagar lake but Kalyan Sagar’s water further polluted due to continuous apathy of Gomati District DM.

Surprisingly, 15 days have been passed after the Diwali Festival at Tripura Sundari temple; Tourism Minister Ratan Bhowmik himself inaugurated the fair, and many stalls were arranged to aware the people in various matters including environment pollution. 

But after all these hoopla, spending around 18 lakhs of fund and deploying over 2000 police personnel in 2015 Diwali festival, Kalyan Sagar Lake was left dirty, pollution has become a major threat for the of the lake’s rare N-Nigrican Bostami Turtles.

When the full state is concerned about the extinction of rare Bostami turtles, including environmentalists and the government itself, the Udaipur authorities failed to maintain purity of water, and thus the inhabitants of lake is again in trouble. Surprisingly, 15 days have been passed after the Diwali celebrated at Tripura Sundari temple.

Gomati District administrationfailed to preserve the purity of the water even within a week of Diwali festival, which is badly affecting the Bostami turtles till date. Presently, the lake is found full of dirts, plastic bags, papers, bottles and other accessories. Moreover, thousands of people still are found to take bath, washing their everyday clothes in that lake, whether administration could easily stop these activities as the extinction of rare turtles has become a very sensitive issue due to the polluted water. Along with the citizens of the Tripura, even wildlife or environment of state never at peace during Manik’s era. Tripura Sundari temple, which is one of the prominent tourist spots of Tripura is suffering due to pathetic District Administration.

Matabari Kalyansagar Pollution as of November 24, 2015. TIWN Udaipur Pic Nov 24

It’s to be mentioned here DM Gomati Sonal Goel was present there during the Diwali, right before the media giving interviews, (may be for “fame”), but in reality Gomati Dist. administration after all has failed to save Kalyan Sagar from pollution.

Could not the Administration enforce the proper ways so that no garbage would  be thrown over there? Does festival means only for celebration, publicity, wastage of money and media fame for  DM ?

From High Court to Environmental Dept. everywhere the Kalyan Sagar lake is a sensitive issue, Gomati Dist administration’s failure to save this waterbody has damaged the water quality which may take now more time to recover.

Media interviews kept DM Sonal Goel very busy during Diwali. TIWN Pic on Diwali Night Nov 11

On the one hand Govt. arrange awareness camps on environment pollution and on the other hand during the whole year local people use this lake from washings cloths to bathing and use Kalyan Sagar as their own house backyard ponds. But Govt. remains silent to save their “Vote Banks”.

It’s to be mentioned here that once there were few shops beside the natural environment of Matabari. It was a place for peace and people from far distances used to find peace and solace in this place. But with influx of fat brain officials, Tripura Govt. cemented the natural embankments of Kalyan Sagar. Presently people cannot stand over there for a long due to the heat which would burn one’s feet. On the side of the lake of Matabari shop-keepers have damaged the place with their everyday business. From State Govt to Gomati District Administration, everyone chosen to remain silent as N-Nigrican Turtles dying, Environment getting destroyed but Vote Bank hungry CPI-M leaders like Madhab Saha minting crores in the name of Matabari development.