Picnic spot turns dump

The garbage lying strewn on the bank of the Teesta in Jalpaiguri. (Biplab Basak)

TT, 15 January 2018, Jalpaiguri: The area on the right bank of the Teesta close to Jubilee Park has turned into a rubbish dump, months after it was declared a "green picnic spot" with much fanfare.

Hundreds of picnickers had left behind trash and leftovers last weekend as the local panchayat and the administration turned blind eye.

The entire area is strewn with garbage, plastic, leftovers and even liquor bottles. An obnoxious smell is emanating from the area and till Monday afternoon, no initiative was taken by the panchayat that was supposed to maintain the spot.

The Teesta river bank is one of the common picnic spots in Jalpaiguri. Along with some other spots in the district, the administration had announced it as a "green spot" last year to discourage littering of garbage and prevent practices like consumption of liquor in open.

"The panchayats Concerned were assigned with the task of keeping the picnic spots clean. Temporary toilets were also built, dustbins were put, and it was decided that the panchayat representatives, along with civic volunteers, would keep vigil on picnickers. However, the vigil is missing on the Teesta river bank and no cleaning is being carried out," said a source in the administration.

A section of picnickers has also raised questions on the garbage. "We dumped all our garbage in dustbins but saw some other groups littering trash and drinking liquor in open. There was none to prevent them. Also, the toilets are in a shambles," said Samar Mukherjee, a Jalpaiguri resident.

Although there is lack of maintenance, the Kharia panchayat authorities have engaged youths who have set up a temporary toll gate and are collecting money from each vehicle that is entering the spot.