NASHIK: Clean Godavari is our responsibility, wake up Nashikkar …., Godavari is our life, the glory of Nashik!… For the conservation of the Godavari river, such message placards were put up on bicycles during the cycle ride which was held in the pink cold of Nashik.
The occasion was the celebration of the river festival to mark Amrut Mahotsav of the 75 years of independence. The Godavari River Cyclothon program was jointly organised by Maharashtra Forest Department Nashik and Cyclists Foundation.
On this occasion, Nashik Divisional Commissioner Radhakrishna Game and District Collector Suraj Mandhare flagged off the cycle ride from Thakkar Dome.
In the cold weather, the cycle ride was started at 6.30 am passing through the routes via Thakkar Dome, ABB Circle, Jahan Circle, Someshwar waterfall, Shaheed Chitte bridge in front of Bhonsala College, Suyojit Viridian Trek, Chopda Lawns, Ramwadi, Ashoka Stambh, Ravivar Karanja, Victoria bridge, Malegaon Stan, Ramkund and endpoint Tapovan.
Deputy Forest Conservator Pankaj Garg of Western Region Nashik and Deputy Conservator of Forests Nashik Tushar Chavan also participated in the ride. Bicycle lover Kiran Chavan was the chief guest.
On this occasion, tree saplings were planted on the banks of Godavari by dignitaries. 120 cyclists spontaneously participated in the ride. Shekhar Gaikwad of Aapla Paryavaran and his team made special support for tree plantation. Kishor Mane, Vice President, Nashik Cyclists Foundation; Secretary Dr. Manisha Raundal, Treasurer Ravindra Dusane, and other office bearers were present.
Need to manage flood risks: Dr Hiray
The development of low pressure belts form cyclones, and at the same time low pressure belts on the land become a cause for arrival of monsoon which causes floods.
However, the risk of flood can be reduced if 10 to 15 per cent of water is released in advance after predicting monsoon, thus expressed Prof. Dr. Pramod Hiray.
He was speaking on the topic ‘Modern Floods on the Upper Godavari River: Causes and Consequences’ at the conclusion of the Godavari River Festival organised by the District Collector’s Office, Archaeological Department, Nashik History Research Board.
District Collector Suraj Mandhare presided over the function held at Sarkarwada. Nashik Archaeological Department Assistant Director Aarti Ale, Chairman of History Research Board Yogesh Kasar and Deputy Collector Nitin Mundavare were present.
Dr Hiray said when the river water crosses the natural level then it is called flood and the flood which is measured, It is called modern flood. All the old settlements are on the river bank. Blue and red lines have been drawn along the river sides, Which can alert future floods.
He gave a description of the flood in Godavari by illustrating the stretch from Gangapur dam to Nandur Madhyameshwar. In the last 130 years, there have been only 20 floods and ten droughts. During this period, the rainfall has never been less, he said.
The Godavari river valley receives heavy rainfall. The water is not released till it is 90 percent full. After that if the intensity of rains increases then the dam water is discharged into the river which causes flood situation. Therefore, even if at least ten per cent water is released after the dam is 70 per cent full, the risk can be reduced, Dr Hiray explained.
On the occasion he removed the doubts of the audience. Devang Jani pointed out that 55 per cent of the silt in the backwaters of the Godavari is one of the causes for flood. District Collector Suraj Mandhare honoured the organisers of the festival for making it successful.
Earlier, Snehal Patil anchored the programme while Yogesh Kasar gave an introductory speech. Dr Kailas Kamod, Shrikant Beni, Anand Bora, painter Ramesh Jadhav, Chetan Rajapurkar, Vijay Dhumal were present. Mahesh Shirsath welcomed the guests at the concluding festival.
