The Hindu 20.02.2013
A new ‘authority for lakes’ proposed
A group of lake conservation experts here has called for integration
of urban planning with lake governance and suggested that the proposed
Lake Development Authority in Rajasthan secure “direct participation” of
business and industry in the upkeep of water bodies through
public-private partnership and corporate social responsibility.
The
Bill for establishment of the Authority is likely to be tabled in the
Budget session of the Assembly starting this Thursday. The State
Government’s Urban Development Department had recently circulated the
draft Bill among experts and environmentalists in the country and abroad
for suggestions.
The environmentalists’ group, led by the Tourism
and Wildlife Society of India (TWSI), has laid emphasis on evolving the
Lake Development Authority as a unique “centre of excellence” on lakes
which could seek partnership with the overseas organisations such as the
Rutland Water Authority and The Thames River Restoration Trust,
considered the iconic models in Britain.
Experts Tim Appleton of
Rutland and Robert Oates of The Thames are already linked with the
conservation of Man Sagar lake of Jaipur, which has been converted from a
cesspool of dirty water to a clean and sparkling water body attracting
migratory and domestic birds and tourists alike.
TWSI honorary secretary and noted environmentalist Harsh Vardhan told
The Hindu
here on Tuesday that the State Government would be setting a new
precedent if it involves the industry sector in the initiatives for lake
conservation and clearly spells out the lake system, which must include
the lake, its shoreline, catchment area and promenade.
Other
members of the group, who joined Mr. Vardhan in identifying the issues
and making suggestions, were Parikshit Gautam, Director (Wetlands),
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-India; Mansee Bal, entrepreneur in
environmental governance, Erasmus University, The Netherlands; and
Rajeev Lunkad, Project Director, Jal Mahal Resorts Private Limited,
which worked for restoration of Man Sagar lake.
Mr. Vardhan, who
has led citizens’ initiatives for conservation of the 400-year-old Man
Sagar lake’s ecosystem through activities such as the annual birding
fairs, said the legislation should be renamed as either the Lake
Conservation & Monitoring Authority or the Lake Governance
Authority: “Development as a term has already impacted all the aquatic
bodies in the country.”
The Authority must cover smaller lakes as
well and not be confined to the 10-hectare size or bigger lakes — as
provided by the draft Act — because these lakes are under severe threat
and require specific attention, said the environmentalist.