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With sewage from Kolkata city increasingly being redirected from the wetlands, bheris are losing ground to real estate sharks

Kolkata, West Bengal: The fish farmers of East Kolkata Wetlands are fast losing out on their farm water. Once a major breeding spot of rui, katla, pona, telapiya, tyangra, parshe, bhetki, chitol and galda chingri, the wetlands (macher bheris in Bengali) are drying up mainly due to the diversion of wastewater from Kolkata city into River Vidyadhari.

Developed and perfected by humans over the last century, the wetlands serve as the natural sewage treatment unit of the city of Kolkata, while also promoting fisheries and vegetable cultivation. The Bantala Canal area on its eastern side receives most of the sewage from the metropolis.

“When the sewage accumulates at a height of 9 ft, the wetlands that house 200 fish farms receive water for pisciculture. For the fish ponds to benefit, this water level should be maintained at all times of the year,” explains Bantala resident Sudhir Sardar (60).

If the sewage level is above 9 ft at Bantala station, the water flows to the farms. Conversely, if it falls to 8 ft or below, the water will not reach the wetlands. The entry of sewage into fish ponds is of great significance as the organic matter in the wastewater aids in the growth of plankton that the fish population feeds upon. The biological process also treats the sewage, thereby addressing the issue of water pollution.

“There were 270 fish farms in the area (approximately two katthas for one bheri), covering about 300 bighas of land and water,” says Niranjan Mondal (45), whose family has been into pisciculture in Bantala for over five generations. By 2002 it had come down to 208 and the latest estimate pegs the number at 200, according to Ashok Sardar Bantala resident and the secretary of Laban Hrad Matsya Chashi Kalyan Samiti.

He said if the decline of fisheries continues it will affect the livelihood of four lakh people who are directly and indirectly involved in fishing. Today there are seven registered cooperative societies and 30 more unregistered societies that simultaneously function in the area. Fish from the wetland area caters to the needs of Kolkata in addition to several other districts of West Bengal, with fish also being supplied to Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and some other states, he said.

Already many fishermen who had to give up their farms are now working as wage day labourers at various places in the city, he says. \"Some are working as construction workers, others as porters in wholesale vegetable markets while some have migrated to other states like Uttar Pradesh or Maharashtra in search of better job opportunities.\"

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The latest estimate pegs the number of fish farms at 200 which supply fish to Kolkata, other districts of West Bengal and even states like Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha (Photo - Showli Chakraborty, 101Reporters)

Unwelcome diversion

Spread over an area of 12,000 hectares, some portions of the wetlands come under the jurisdiction of ward 36 of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation, while some are panchayat areas. Several underground canals bring sewage to the wetlands, with the municipal authorities and irrigation department controlling the flow of water from the Bantala pumping station.

The problem began when the authorities began to redirect water into the Vidyadhari. An engineer from the New Town Kolkata Development Authority, said on the condition of anonymity \"Kolkata’s sewage is so toxic that it will destroy the good bacteria in the wetlands. Things do not work the way they did a decade ago. The Pollution Control Board has directed us not to let out untreated water.”

“The sewage from Salt Lake, Rajarhat and New Town surrounding the wetlands flows into three new treatment plants built in New Town. Once treated, the water is let out into Bagjola Canal, which flows into the Vidyadhari.\"

Meanwhile, the sewage treatment plant at Bantala catering to East Kolkata Wetlands is in a state of disrepair for a decade now. The redirecting of water into Vidhyadhari even during monsoons not only increases the risk of a breach downstream but also flooding in Kolkata city.

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The biggest gainers from dry wetlands are real estate dealers who are acquiring defunct fish farms at desperate rates (Photo - Showli Chakraborty, 101Reporters)

Foul play alleged

Environmentalist Sourav Chakraborti is sure that the local goons working closely with the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), realtors and the police have formed a nexus. “They are trapping poor farmers by cutting off the water supply, thus forcing them to sell off fish farms to realtors. Old-timers say the real estate syndicate dates back to the 1990s.”

Putting the blame on both the CPM and TMC governments for the poor state of the water body, Chakraborti says no political leader wants to acknowledge that the wetlands purify sewage. “They just want to encroach upon the entire area because they need money to fund elections.”

Undoubtedly, the biggest gainers from dry wetlands are real estate dealers. As water runs out, more and more fish farmers are forced to sell their lowlands to real estate promoters for constructing multi-storied buildings.

“These poor people do not understand the significance of wetlands. So, when the realtors offered them jobs and a sum of Rs 6 lakh, they sold off their farms. However, the twist in the tale is that they have not received the money promised, even five years after the land deal,” adds Niranjan.

One such farmer, Dinabanhu Bera tells 101Reporters that he is yet to get the entire amount originally agreed upon. “Whenever I approach the realtor with this demand, I am given Rs 10,000 and told to get back later. To date, not even half of the promised amount has been paid.”

Alleging that local politicians, police and promoter syndicates are involved in the scam, Bera says the duped farmers approached the local police several times, but nothing happened. “They (realtors) have now built boundary walls on our farmlands and do not let us inside,” he laments.

Javed Khan, a realtor, told 101Reporters that he bought a couple of fish farms because the area dried up. “The fishermen needed money and I got the land in exchange. What is wrong with that? However, if you ask me why the fish farms dried up and where the water went, I will not be able to answer. The state government should reply,” he clarifies his position.

Amaresh Mondal, the head of Bamanghata panchayat in North 24 Parganas, says, “I am aware that fish farms are drying up and people are selling them to realtors. However, I do not know whether they received the full amount. They were advised against land sale, but they did not listen to us then. We hope to find a solution to this issue soon by holding talks with the state government.”

In 2020, local NGO Laban Hrad Matsyachashi Kalyan Samiti filed a public interest litigation in the Calcutta High Court on the issues faced by fish farmers. Last December, the court ordered demolition of buildings constructed in the area. However, police or municipal authorities are yet to act.

“An atmosphere of fear makes many stay silent. Even if they suffer, they refrain from talking about it. I can name three fishermen — Rabi Ghosh, Tapan Pandit and Roga Jasmin — who have been untraceable ever since they approached the police. That is why we moved the court on their behalf,” says Ashok Sardar.

Refusing to comment on the issue, Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation Chairman Sabyasachi Dutta says, “Mayor Krishna Chakraborty will talk about this.” However, Chakraborty toes the same line. “I have no knowledge about this. I will not say anything.”

Cover Photo by Showli Chakraborty

Edited by Rekha Pulinnoli

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A mining lease issued for Tilabani hill\nin Purulia, in contravention of the 2006 Forest Rights Act, has drawn strong\nprotests from local community, who fear loss of livelihood and destruction of ecosystem

Purulia, West Bengal: The Adivasis of four villages\nadjoining Tilabani hill in Purulia saw it coming. As the officials from a\nprivate firm landed on the hill to commence mining operations, they fought\ntooth and nail, forcing the visiting party to pack up. The June 3 incident\nnecessitated suspension of work, and led to the arrest of several villagers,\nwho were subsequently released on bail.

It was on January 10, 2019, that the West Bengal Mineral Development &\nTrading Corporation Limited leased out the hill to Kolkata-based Todi Minerals\nPrivate Limited. As per the agreement, Todi Minerals could mine granite from the place.

“How can we allow this? We will all lose our income if the hill goes to\nminers,” said Swapan Mondal, a forest guide on Tilabani hill. Farashibon, Madhabpur,\nLebabona and Tilabani villages have a combined population of around 10,000. Every\nhousehold here is dependent on the hill in one way or the other.

The Adivasis of four villages around Tilabani hill in Purulia, West Bengal are fighting against Todi minerals to protect the biodiversity-rich hill (Photo: Sourced by Showli Chakraborty)

“November to March is the peak season for us. We make around Rs 20,000\nper week during this period. I mostly work as a guide for agricultural science students,\nwho attend nature study camps here to understand the flora and fauna of the\nregion. We get to see students from colleges across the country,” Mondal said.

Swarup Mahato’s family has been residing in a village located near the hill for several generations. “I have a\ngrocery shop near the hill. I also work as a forest guide in winters. People\nhere meet ends by selling tendu leaves\nand medicinal plants collected from the hill,” Mahato (26), an Adivasi, told 101Reporters.

According to Rakesh Karmakar, a farm owner and cattle rearer, tendu leaves are used to make bidi, which earns\nthem at least Rs 5,000 to 10,000 a month. Besides, grasslands near the hill\nprovide fodder for cattle and poultry.

Up in arms

Tilabani panchayat pradhan Sucheta Tudu (34) has been actively leading\nthe agitation against Todi Minerals and roping in women for the cause. “Women resent\nthis snatching away of sources of livelihood. They took part in several\nrallies, waving black flags in protest,” Tudu told 101Reporters.

As per the Forest\nRights Act (FRA), 2006, the panchayat’s consent is necessary before passing\nany work order. As that did not happen, the villagers submitted a written memorandum\nto the district magistrate at Hura demanding that all mining activities be\nstopped.

Tilabani panchayat pradhan Sucheta Tudu has been actively leading the agitation against the hill acquisition by Todi minerals (Photo: Sourced by Showli Chakraborty)

“Representatives of Todi Minerals approached us and sought a meeting\nwith the panchayat representatives. This should have been done earlier. Even\nthe government should have sent officials to meet us. Unfortunately, that did\nnot happen. Nevertheless, we have made it clear that we will not support mining\non Tilabani hill as it will render the area barren and cause pollution, besides\ndestroying the ecosystem,” Tudu affirmed.

The local community has sent letters of protest to all government\nofficials, including the block development officer at Hura, the district magistrate\nand the police authorities concerned. “We are now told that the deal was signed\nlong ago. But we knew nothing about it!” said Swarup Mahato.

To fortify their resistance, the tribal communities have formed the\nTilabani Pahar Bachao Committee, which is fighting in courts on their behalf. “The\nvillagers do not trust the government or the police. They have decided to camp\non the hill round-the-clock until the court pronounces its verdict. Women\nguard the post during the day, while men stand vigil at night,” said\npanchayat pradhan’s husband Hakim Chandra Tudu.

Explaining the local sentiment around Tilabani hill, Bimala Karmakar, an\nactive protester, said, “We worship the deity Barang Buru, who, we believe,\ndwells on the hill. For us, this battle is to save her. We cannot let anyone\ndestroy the hill and our goddess. She is the provider of everything that we get\nfrom the forest.”

Courts to the rescue

Advocate Somnath Patra, who is fighting on behalf of the community, said\nfour locals were arrested on charges of unlawful assembly and causing\nhindrance to mining activities on Tilabani hill, after an FIR was registered\nagainst them at Hura Police Station based on a complaint lodged by Todi\nMinerals.

Mining in Tilabani hill in Purulia, West Bengal will threaten the livelihoods of thousands of Adivasis living here ((Photo: Sourced by Showli Chakraborty)

The case was registered under IPC Sections 506, 427, 331, 341, 323 and\n34, which relate to punishments for criminal intimidation, voluntarily causing\nhurt, wrongful restraint, causing loss or damage and more. The locals were\nreleased on bail a couple of days later.

“We have moved to the Calcutta High Court, and now await the hearing. The\nway I see it, we are set for a lengthy court battle,” said Patra.

When contacted, Todi Minerals refused to comment on the issue citing court\nproceedings.

When quizzed about the issue, Purulia District Magistrate Rajat Nanda\nsaid, “Mining activities in the area are put on hold. I am looking into the\nmatter. We will verify the claims made by both parties.”

The local community, meanwhile, has received support from various\norganisations, including the Paschim Banga Bigyan Mancha.

Legal position

As per the FRA, tribals living on forestland have every right to\nprotect, regenerate, conserve or manage community forest resources they\nhave traditionally protected and conserved for sustainable use.

Explaining the logic behind the Act, environmentalist Tapan Saha said,\n“Since these communities are dependent on forest reserves for their livelihood,\ntheir conservation is of utmost importance to them. The Central government has\nthe right to divert\nforest lands for the\npurpose of building schools, hospitals, anganwadis and roads for the benefit of\nthe local community. But decisions are subject to the consent of panchayats or gram sabhas.”

Tlabani is not a stone-ridden hill but a watershed area with ample farmlands and grasslands (Photo: Sourced by Showli Chakraborty)

Climate activist Sourav Chakraborty, who has been working closely with\nthe Paschim Banga Bigyan Mancha, told 101Reporters\nthat police played an active role in quelling the protests. “The villagers are\nbent on stopping mining as water from a lake situated on the hill is used for\nfarming. Tilabani is no barren stone-ridden hill. It has a lot of farmland,\nand is a precious watershed. One cannot sell it off,” he said.

Notwithstanding these concerns, alarm bells have been ringing all over the country ever since the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Forest Conservation Rules, 2022, under the Forest Conservation Act.

Under the new rules replacing the 2003 ones, the Central government can give its final approval under Section 2 of the Act for any “diversion, assignment of lease or de-reservation” (use of forest land for non-forest purposes), after which the State or Union Territory can issue an order. The new system of Centre getting an upper hand in approvals is quite contrary to the earlier practice, wherein state governments would first look at the proposal (mostly through gram sabhas) and provide their consent.

“Unless we act now, this will destroy the biodiversity of the country at large!” Saha pointed out.

Edited by Rina Mukherji

The cover image is of a agitation led by the locals of villages around Tialbani hill against Todi Minerals' attempts to set up mining in Purulia, West Bengal, sourced by Showli Chakraborty.

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