Vrindavan, 2017.12.05 (VT): Disturbed by the ongoing construction on Vrindavan’s Yamuna riverfront, Dr. Aruna Vishwanathan recently met the Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on behalf of the Braj-Vrindavan Heritage Alliance (BVHA). Dr. Vishwanathan appraised the Minister about the current situation on the Yamuna riverfront in Vrindavan. After viewing all the related documents and court orders, Dr. Harsh Vardhan asked Dr. Vishwanathan for a proposal.
Now on behalf of the Braj-Vrindavan Heritage Alliance (BVHA) Shri Vijay Kishor Goswami, Sevayat of the ancient Shri Madanmohan Temple, is sending a letter in response. The letter explains that the Yamuna floodplain in Vrindavan has been the subject of destruction by different governmental departments between 2009 and 2017, and that major construction is currently underway on the riverbed. The ongoing construction, which has already been banned by the NGT, is part of the ‘Riverfront Development Project’ initiated by the then-UP government led by Akhilesh Yadav.
Two kilometers of the riverbed is currently being covered in concrete by the irrigation department after inserting 25-30 meter metal sheets (sheet piling) into the ground. The sheet piling activity has begun to dry Vrindavan’s aquifer, as the Yamuna can no more recharge the ground water due to the barrier it creates.
Under the Mayavati Government, huge amounts of earth and debris were dumped ont he riverbed to construct a road for access to build a flyover in front of Vrindavan’s iconic ‘Keshi Ghat’ in the years 2009 to 2010. However, the project was challenged in the Allahabad High Court and the flyover was stopped. But the debris still remains on the Yamuna bed in front of the pristine heritage ghats.
The entire floodplain area of the project execution site has been completely destroyed, not simply damaged. The ground is now totally levelled, compacted and hardened and is almost completely devoid of any vegetation.
The floodplain has lost all its natural vegetation, like trees, shrubs, tall grasses, and aquatic vegetation including the water hyacinth which provides a natural habitat to a large number of animals, insects and mud-dwelling organisms.
The letter continues to say that major restoration work must be carried out to compensate for the damage already done, and requests that the following actions be taken:
1. That the NGT may direct the authorities of the state to stop any construction work on the riverbed. The area beyond the ghats should be declared a no-construction zone.
2. That the NGT may order the sheet-piling withdrawn from the ground so that the water table can be recharged, and that all the debris on the riverbed be removed.
3. That the wetlands of Yamuna between Vrindavan and Mathura be preserved on both sides of the river by a massive plantation of greenery.
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