It seems that the proposed bio-diversity park (BDP) at the Panchavati Hills will soon be realized. The proposal got a strong positive impetus when on Sunday more than 300 citizens, who included renowned environmentalists and committed social activists, formed a human chain at the Hills. With the ever-increasing awareness regarding environmental conservation, it is expected that the proposal of constructing the bio-diversity park here will soon get a green signal.

Many of the non-government organizations (NGOs) have come forward to protect the Panchavati Hills. As a part of this noble cause, the National Society for Clean Cities (NSCC) in association with some of the other famous NGOs in the town is planning to start a signature campaign. The environmentalists have made up their mind to collect at least three Lakh signatures under this campaign.

The signatures will later be handed over to the concerned authorities of the state government to as a sound proof of the public support to the cause.

Meanwhile Miss. Anita Gokhale, the urban planner addressed the gathering on Sunday. She didn’t seem happy with the decision taken by the government of permitting four per cent developments on the slopes of the Panchavati Hills as these four per cent would well escalate to 37 per cent including the construction of roads as well as betterment of the means offering civic amenities which involve water and electricity facilities. Thus by saying yes to the development projects in the area, the government is in a way endangering the proposed BDP project, which should actually be the first preference. She also quoted Mahatma Gandhi here saying “Nature is sufficient for man’s need; but not for man’s greed.” She took an account of the destruction of the environmental resources in and around the city and tried to underline the seriousness of the situation. Moreover, she accented the need of the public initiative in the protection of the environment.

Mr. Madhav Gadgil, a renowned scientist who himself formed a link in the human chain, described their asking for the proposed BDP as their democratic right and highlighted the importance of the project.

Others among the speakers included renowned astrophysicist Mr. Jayant Narlikar and the president of NSCC Mr. Satish Khot who also tried to increase the general awareness regarding the BDP Project. An appeal was made to the public on behalf of Panchavati Utkarsh Seva Sanstha to raise their voice against the decision of the government to allow four per cent development projects on the hilltops.