Calcuttans from all walks of life expressed happiness and relief that Chhath Puja rituals were not allowed at Rabindra Sarobar and Subhas Sarobar on Friday.

Subhas Dutta, environmentalist whose petition led to the Sarobar ban

The real devotees, who strictly follow the rules of Chhath Puja, never violate any government rules. The real trouble is caused by organised trouble-mongers.

I am happy because today we have been able to save the city’s lungs…. Strong lights and firecrackers that burst on the occasion disturb the beautiful migratory birds that start arriving at the lake from October.

Anuj Sharma, Calcutta police commissioner

Calcutta police have taken all necessary steps to comply with the instructions issued by the government and the learned courts. It is good to see that the citizens are conscious of the need to be cautious during the Covid period and did not come out in large numbers during the festive season. I would again iterate the necessity of wearing a mask, sanitising hands and maintaining social distance. Stay safe. Stay healthy.

Devotees perform Chhath Puja in a tank at Tetultala ground on Panditiya Road on Friday Pradip Sanyal

Abin Chaudhuri, architect and morning walker at Rabindra Sarobar

It is great that people have understood the value of the environment and obeyed the government's and the courts' orders.

I would like to see the same level of compliance in the next 10 to 15 years and on other environmental issues as well. I think collective pressure, media’s role, government’s actions, super-active courts, which have been enforcing rules during the pandemic to make sure that what had happened last year did not recur, culminated in what we saw today.

Parthib Basu, professor of zoology, Calcutta University

I am happy that the government complied with the NGT’s order. But the government was goaded into action by courts. I would want the government to take actions to protect the environment on its own.

Safeguarding the environment is as much the responsibility of the state as the judiciary. Article 48A of the Directive Principles of our Constitution says that it is the state’s responsibility to protect the environment.

I also wish that a general consciousness to protect and preserve nature develops among the people.

Pradip Sanyal

Sumita Banerjee, environment activist and Rabindra Sarobar regular

I have been working for years for this cause. It was such a relief to see the police execute the order today. There was a court order in the last two years, too, but there was no political will to execute it. This year, I was shocked to see that the CMDA had filed a review petition to allow devotees celebrate Chhath Puja here. But much to my relief, the court rejected the plea. I always had faith in police - if they are given a free hand, they will be able to execute it just the way they organised Durga Puja and a noiseless Diwali this year.

Naba Dutta, environmentalist

What happened today is another proof of what we have been saying all these years.

If the government and administration have the will, they can execute an NGT order just the way they did today. From my survey along the areas near the Lakes, I have always felt that the majority of the Bihari samaj has understood and accepted the court order.