After walkers’ concerns, Jisshu clears air over Lake cricket camp – Times of India

Kolkata: The private organization that had taken 3 acres at Rabindra Sarobarfrom KMDA on lease to develop a sports academy for underprivileged children has started levelling the ground and planting grass to prepare the pitch. Jisshu Sengupta, one of the directors of the organization, has clarified that once the grass is relaid, the greenery will be back. Earlier, the actor faced flak from a section of lake enthusiasts, who cried foul over the development, claiming the greenery was getting destroyed. They had opposed the handover of the site. Allaying apprehensions, Jisshu, on behalf of The Calcutta Entertainment Club Foundation, said everyone was aware that construction was prohibited at Sarobar. “We are following all rules of the National Green Tribunal. We will plant more trees. We will put up a green buffer surrounding the ground. If a single tree accidentally gets damaged due to work, we will take up compensatory plantation,” he said.He added that the top layer of the ground was being scraped as it was not in an ideal condition. “There are bricks and boulders below the existing ground. They need to be removed. About 8-10 inch of the ground will need to be scraped. Our aim is to develop the ground similar to that of the UK county cricket grounds with lush green grass carpet. The grass carpet will come from outside the state,” the actor said. The Lake Lovers Forum, Save Rabindra Sarobar Forum, Sabuj Mancha and other NGOs have cried foul over the development. “The ground is being badly damaged. The work should be immediately stopped,” said Sumita Banerjee of Lake Lovers Forum. The forum had earlier submitted a petition to the NGT, urging its intervention. “Diesel-powered earth movers are being operated in this eco-sensitive zone. This is very unfortunate,” said environmentalist Somendra Mohan Ghosh of ‘Save Rabindra Sarobar Forum’. “We have been protesting over the decision and have been demanding the lease to be withdrawn for the sake of protecting the environment of the lake,” said Sabuj Mancha general secretary Naba Dutta, who had earlier sent a letter to urban development minister and KMDA chairman Firhad Hakim with their demands.KMDA, the custodian of Sarobar, maintained that there will be no construction on the ground. “No trees will be cut and the organisation has plans to plant hedges surrounding the plot,” said a KMDA official.

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