This NGO is encouraging local communities to save Mumbai's rivers

Did you know that Mumbai has four rivers running through it? Apart from the Mithi, which gained prominence during the July 26, 2005, deluge, the other rivers in the city are Poisar, Dahisar and Oshiwara. All four rivers have their source at Tulsi Lake, which is located beyond Kanheri caves in Sanjay Gandhi National Park. At different points, the rivers branch out into different directions and enter the sea. However, the journey they take is through the big city, which results in polluted water that eventually destroys aquatic life.It is for this reason that Borivali-based NGO, Rivermarch, recently conducted a programme to revive the city’s rivers.

The pilot project
The event, which was held at Maharashtra Nature Park in Dharavi, has taken Dahisar River as its pilot project, given that it’s the smallest river spanning 12 km. The idea, they say, is to make local communities stakeholders in restoring the river, which makes it a community-based project that will benefit locals.
“While it is easy to say that the locals should be relocated, it’s not a practical solution,” explained Avinash Kubal, Deputy Director, Maharashtra Nature Park. The Dahisar River flows from SGNP through a dhobi ghat, a tabela, a flyover whose pillars are constructed into the water, a crematorium and finally, through a number of industries and homes.
“In this case, the waters are polluted with soap, cow dung, effluents and even ashes and garlands. Normally, the bacteria and viruses present in the water clean out the toxins and the river is cleared a few kilometres outside the city. However, the level of urbanisation in India is such that by the time the river water is cleared, the water flows into a new city and the cycle repeats,” added Kubal.

Preventive measures
During last week’s event, Rivermarch gathered washermen, residents, individuals looking after the tabela, and local leaders who take care of the crematorium in an attempt to make them stakeholders in the river cleaning project. “The idea is to get local communities involved so that they are directly involved in ensuring that the river is free of pollutants. This way, they will know and understand why the river is important,” said Kubal.
Apart from this, the plan is to install sewerage treatment plants near the homes and industries that affect the river, put up biogas units near the cattle sheds and implement other methods that help recycle the water and prevent the river from getting polluted. If this turns out to be a success, the group plans on looking at other rivers in the city.