Nested in the middle of Pune, the Empress Garden canal, once a source of clear flowing water, is today beset by mounds of plastic water bottles, food wrappers, and discarded trash. What was once a thriving waterway linking BT Kawade Road, Solapur Road, and Sopan Baug has turned into an emblem of disregard at the risk of damaging the health, environment, and morale of surrounding communities. The fate of the canal reaches into the lives of schoolchildren, family members, and those residing in the area who yearn to see it regain its previous beauty and life.
The canal’s image as a dumping yard has brought about stagnated and dirty water, providing a breeding place for mosquitoes. This is highly worrying when it comes to vector-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly in close proximity to schools and housing societies. The stench-laden air blown from the blocked waterway has made daily strolls a chore, while the mounds of putrid trash deface the once-pretty scenery. For a city as vibrant as Pune, this deterioration feels like a violation of its green legacy.
The ecological cost is just as tragic. The ecology of the canal, which was once a rich habitat for flora and fauna, now chokes under plastic and waste. What would have once been a peaceful, green walkway has become an eyesore, with litter overflowing onto the banks in the vicinity of public parks and residential zones. The image of discarded bags and food waste bobbing in dirty water is a harsh reminder of the price of wasteful lifestyles. Every discarded bottle adds to the escalating issue that affects the canal as well as the quality of life for all those in the vicinity.
 Parents are concerned about the health of their children as mosquitoes breed in the still water. Elderly citizens, who previously would take leisurely walks by the canal, now steer clear of its putrid smell. The busy daily existence of this lively neighborhood—complete with schools, homes, and parks—seems to be overshadowed by the deterioration of the canal.Â
The time is right for shared responsibility. Small littering has become a crisis, but small steps towards restoration may restore the damage. Clean-ups organized by local citizens, tighter waste management, and information campaigns can give new life to the canal. Until then, citizens of Pune wait, hoping their beloved waterway can still be rescued before it’s a permanent blight on their city. Empress Garden canal is not only a channel of water—it’s a mirror to the people’s affection for their place, and its revitalization can fuel a renewed sense of pride and community.
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