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Metro plans threaten vital Basai pond ecosystem
28 Aug
Summary
- Three metro piers planned at Basai pond's edge.
- RTI response reveals GMRL's environmental assessment.
- Pond faces sewage, waste, and invasive vegetation.
Gurgaon's metro corridor plans include constructing three piers along the edge of Basai pond, requiring 20.9 square metres of land. This proposal has sparked significant concern among environmentalists regarding the protection of this traditional waterbody, which is already stressed by multiple ecological issues.
A response to an RTI application indicated that only the pond's edge would be temporarily affected, with no permanent impact anticipated. However, experts argue that no waterbody can be temporarily affected without lasting consequences, especially without a protective buffer.
The Basai pond is currently contending with sewage, solid waste, livestock, and invasive vegetation, with an independent assessment noting fish mortality and high water temperatures. Despite these challenges, the pond serves as a critical refuge for biodiversity, especially as the larger Basai wetland has diminished.
