2 dolphin parks, sewage treatment projects: Centre-state’s big Namami Gange push in Bengal

The West Bengal government, in coordination with the Centre, is planning to establish two dolphin parks in the state, state Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul said on Thursday.

According to officials, the state government is considering the creation of two dolphin parks in the state, including one at the Hooghly river and the other one at Kanthi in East Midnapore, as part of efforts to conserve aquatic biodiversity while promoting eco-tourism.

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The government is also mulling the installation of water meters for commercial and industrial establishments to improve monitoring of water usage and strengthen conservation efforts.

In addition, industries may be required to install filtration systems to ensure that treated effluents are discharged into water bodies.

As part of the Namami Gange initiative, the state government also plans to undertake an intensive cleaning programme for the Hooghly river. Large-scale rainwater harvesting projects aimed at improving groundwater recharge and reducing pressure on freshwater resources are among some of the measures under consideration.

Earlier, Minister Paatil said that he would request West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to provide land so that five sewage treatment plants (STPs) can be set up in Kolkata.

“There are 211 STPs across Bengal. We will set up five more units,” Paatil had said.

By setting up these plants, the government also plans to prevent untreated wastewater from flowing into the Hooghly and connected waterways.

The proposed facilities are expected to strengthen urban sanitation infrastructure and contribute to improved river water quality.

According to a senior official of the Centre’s water resources department, these initiatives are intended to combine environmental conservation with sustainable development, while the proposed dolphin parks could emerge as major eco-tourism attractions and help raise awareness about the protection of the endangered Gangetic dolphins.

The proposals are expected to be taken up in phases in coordination with central agencies and local authorities under the Namami Gange framework.