Embarrassed govt officials stall cricket match on dry Badkhal

The organisers,Natural Heritage First,an NGO and Publicis India Ltd,an advertising agency,had chosen the lake bed as the playing field for the Badkhal Lake Cricket Challenge to highlight the ecological danger posed by the gradual drying up of the lake in the last four to five years.

The match started on schedule at 8.30 am. Despite the sun,villagers gathered to watch. After just a few overs,however,local political groups came and stopped the game.

“Badkhal is our problem and we will resolve it on our own,” said a local leader who refused to disclose his identity.

Haryana Tourism officials also marched to the scene and threatened to initiate action against the organisers and players. “You have not bothered to take prior permission from the government. This match cannot continue,” argued Satish Chauhan,the official in-charge of the tourist complex at Badkhal.

When reminded that the place was a tourist spot and no permission was required to play a sport,Chauhan said: “The event will bring a bad name to our department as it will expose the condition of the lake.”

He confiscated banners and asked players and organisers to dismantle the makeshift tent. “Get the permission of the tourism minister or the chief minister before holding any such event,” screamed Chauhan. He was joined by assistant sub-inspector Devender Kumar from the Ankhir police chowki who asked the players to leave.

Diwan Singh of the Ridge Bachao Andolan and a member of Natural Heritage First said,“The authorities have somehow managed to convince the villagers that the lake has dried up because of lack of rainfall,which is not true. The area had a more than double the usual rain last year. Yet the lake is dry and people playing cricket in its centre.”

Minister for Tourism,Hayana,Kiran Chaudhary could not be contacted.

Newsline had earlier highlighted the condition of both Surajkund and Badkhal lake which have gone dry in the last few years due to rampant mining and colonisation.