Every tall tree on the pavement of the Central Park fairground is now a glitter with fairy string lights. The reason is Bidhannagar Mela (Utsav) that is happening at the venue since February 21.
But what has raised eyebrows is the way such a huge event, organised by the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation itself, is flouting a decision passed by the civic body's Board of Councillors earlier this year to ban such lights.
"Just like it's damaging to hammer nails into trees, these lights are harmful to the plants," Rahima Bibi Mondal, mayor-in-council member in charge of the environment, had told The Telegraph Salt Lake. It is she who had placed the proposal to the BMC board to have these removed, as was reported in the cover story "Off with the Lights", published on February 1.
On Wednesday, when the matter was brought to her notice by The Telegraph Salt Lake, Mondal admitted to have noticed the lights on the two days she has visited the fair but she could not promise prompt action. "I have spoken to the mayor (Krishna Chakraborty). She was unaware and has promised to remove the lights after the fair. There are just a few days left of the fair," she said. The fair will continue till March 12.
Given that the lights will be taken off anyway after the fair is over along with the dismantling of the stalls, the decision is bound to disappoint environmentalists and nature lovers. Botanists had pointed out how the lights affect the trees' physiology. Besides the heat, the electric flow from the wires messes up the plant's conduction system that pumps water and nutrients throughout the plant. The artificial lights also affect the sleep-wake cycle in birds and other mammals like bats and squirrels that live in the tree.
Mandal said the contractor who got the order was unaware of the ban. "We will make sure this does not happen at our future events."
While it is anybody's guess what message it will convey to the public to see trees lit up for weeks at a government event, Mondal said she was reasoning with owners of commercial establishments who are using such lights. "They mostly accede to our request, so we have not had to think of punitive measures. Since the ban is new, everyone needs time to become aware," she reasoned.