Balurghat Moves to Save a Century-Old Pond, Offering a Model for Urban Environmental Care

Kamal Kumar Biswas.TOD.Balurghat

At a time when rapid urbanization across the state is steadily erasing ponds and wetlands, the Balurghat Municipality has taken a notable step to protect an important urban water body, setting an example for sustainable city planning.

In the Kundu Colony area of Balurghat town in South Dinajpur district lies a pond believed to be nearly a century old. Neglected for years and suffering from lack of maintenance, the water body had fallen into a deteriorated condition. Recognizing its ecological significance and role in maintaining the city’s environmental balance, the municipality has now initiated a comprehensive restoration project.

The renovation work has begun at an estimated cost of more than ₹3.9 lakh under the initiative of Munmun Kar, councillor of Ward No. 21 and the newly elected Vice Chairman of Balurghat Municipality. Alongside desilting and restoration of the pond, plans are also in place to beautify its surroundings, municipal officials said.

Inaugurating the project on Sunday afternoon, Vice Chairman Munmun Kar said that residents had been demanding restoration and beautification of the historic pond for a long time. “This pond is an important part of the locality’s heritage and environment. We had been trying to initiate the work for quite some time. Finally, the project has started with an allocation of nearly four lakh rupees,” she said.

Local residents have welcomed the move. Malay Kumar Maitra, a resident of Kundu Colony, described the pond as vital to the area’s ecosystem. “For years we have been urging the authorities to renovate this pond. It plays an important role in maintaining environmental balance. We are extremely happy that our demand is finally being fulfilled,” he said.

Environmental observers believe that the effort to preserve a water body threatened by urban congestion could serve as a guiding example for other municipal areas. As cities continue to expand, initiatives like this one, they say, may prove crucial in protecting urban ecosystems and ensuring sustainable development.