RESUME OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER SOCIAL
ACTIVITIES OF GANATANTRIC NAGARIK SAMITY, THE PARENT ORGANIZATION OF RENU


Matters of public interest on which we had moved before 1995

In the matter of conversion of Belilious Park (the most prestigious and heritage park at the city of Howrah) into a commercial complex, we had filed a Writ before the Calcutta High Court and obtained an order of injunction which is still continuing. Several agitations and movements were organized by us on this issue.

On holding of circus at Howrah Maidan and the consequential hazards afterwards because of non-cleaning of the animal/other wastes, we had moved before the High Court and obtained favourable order thereon.

In the matter of construction of auditorium named as Sarat Sadan at Centenary Park/Howrah Maidan by spoiling the greenery, which had been earmarked as the lungs of the city before the middle of 18th century, we had filed a petition and obtained several favourable orders from the High Court at Calcutta. On this issue several movements were organized by us.

In the matter of construction of multi-storied buildings at Howrah by flouting all Building Rules, a petition was moved by us but there was no order from the High Court at Calcutta. The matter got out of list and not traceable at present.

On the issue of blocking of the footpath at Howrah Station area in the name of repair/ improvement of the same for an indefinite period of time, a petition was filed and the Hon'ble High Court was pleased to direct the completion of work within the time schedule.

In the matter of mismanagement, corruption and irregular practices at Howrah District Jail, a Writ Petition was moved on which the High Court had directed the District Public Prosecutor to make an enquiry and suggest the remedial measures.

The erstwhile Chief Minister of our state used to visit England, Switzerland and other European countries every year but without any positive result in bringing foreign investments into the state. In this matter we had filed a petition and prayed that there should be some social accountability of the Chief Minister and he should, therefore, inform the people, through press-meet or in the assembly, about the success of each foreign tour. This petition was dismissed.

In the matter of changing the terminal point for two important express trains from Howrah Railway Station to Sealdah Railway Station, we had moved a Writ Petition and got a favourable order from the single bench of the Calcutta High Court, which afterwards got reversed by the Division Bench of the same court.

On cleaning of garbage dumped on J. R. Road and Wrishi Bankim Road near to Fish Market at Howrah Station, a petition was moved before the Calcutta High Court on which favourable direction was given by the court and the non-compliance of which was ultimately moved before the Supreme Court.

Construction of commercial establishments at Howrah Maidan (Centenary Park) in the name of Red-Cross Building was objected to by us through filing a petition before the Hon'ble High Court, Calcutta which was kept pending for long time without any hearing thereof.

Other environmental issues before the Peoples' Forum

Destruction of Sundarban, the largest mangrove forest and Delta of the whole world.

Running a Power Plant at Gosaba, Sundarban area by destroying the forest's trees (This matter. got wide publicity through B. B. C., CNN and Star Televisions).

Pollution being caused by Kolaghat Thermal Power Station, Midnapur.

Attempt to construct bus-terminal at Calcutta Maidan (Esplanade) by spoiling the largest open space with green-grass in the city of Calcutta.

Cutting down of trees at Uluberia P.S. and within Tiljala P.S. area.

The matter of construction of hospital building at Jhargram Hospital (Dist. Midnapore) by cutting down 18 grown-up Sal trees there under a World Bank Project for which we had carried out a Rapid E.I.A. study and had interacted with the World Bank authority at Washington.

Performed 'Bhaiphota' on trees at the boulevard of Southern Avenue in the year 1999. This programme of loving and caring for tree got wide publicity through the major electronic media of the country and also through the dailies of Calcutta. This Bhaiphota programme is being celebrated every year.

Prayer for Millions of Millennium by planting and worshiping trees at Rabindra Sarovar Area, Calcutta on 1st January 2001.

Organising seminars on environment on 17th June of every year as a part of celebration of GREEN BENCH Day. These seminars have been addressed by several Hon'ble Justices of the Supreme Court and High Court at Calcutta.

Worshiping of trees, mourning for dead trees and praying for the longer life of all the trees and forests of the country several programmes were undertaken at various places of the State of West Bengal.

Publishing souvenir on environmental issues on 17th June of every year, which is contributed by eminent personalities on environment.

Felicitating different environmental activists of the state.

At present attending various types of complaints on environmental aspects from the entire state of West Bengal.

Garbage cleaning operations are performed at regular intervals at various places.

Cleaning up operations and making the Victoria Memorial compounds a plastic free zone.

Attending the Ganga pollution matter and participating in various programmes to clean up the river.

Participated in the Thames River cleaning operation in London organized by Thames 21.

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