The Times of India                   07.03.2013

Celebrating Nagpur City embellished by lakes, but they need conservation

NAGPUR: Every city has some geographical features that embellish it. Some have hills, some have big rivers, while some are situated on the sea coast. Orange City has 11 small lakes and some hillocks, which once provided a beautiful contrast to the eyes. Unfortunately, due to callousness of the city administration, the lakes are in the danger of dying.

One of them, Pandhrabodi, has already been finished off by Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), which leased it out for constructing tennis courts. While state government has included it in lakes rejuvenation plan, the work remains on paper. Environmentalist Sudhir Paliwal said, "A natural spring near the lake on LIT premises is being filled up. Most of our lakes are under serious threat from builders and slum encroachers."

Paliwal further said, "Naik Talao and Lendi Talao are surrounded by slums on all sides. The water is daily being polluted by sewage. Awareness has to be created among slum dwellers about the relation of groundwater and the lakes."

Of the remaining eight lakes, Gorewada is in excellent condition as it is the water supply reservoir of the city. Ambazari and Telangkhedi too are in good shape as their catchment areas have lot of open space. The rest have some problems but have been included in rejuvenation projects and can be saved if the government as well as Nagpurians have the will.

Some of them have already suffered damage. Gandhisagar, also known as Shukrawari Talao and Jumma Talao, was 1.5 times its existing size. The western part was filled up as the city spread towards Sitabuldi fort in early part of the twentieth century. Today, it is in the midst of the city and its catchment area has very little open space.

Sonegaon lake was fed by Pohara river, the third one of the city. However, in 2000 an underground pipeline was laid in its bed and unauthorized constructions came up, depriving the lake of its source. According to environmentalist Gopal Thosar, "There used to be a black stone weir constructed during the British period. Water from the lake flowed from the weir into a Bhonsla era garden which is situated now on airport premises and then into the river coming from Khamla," he said. The lake regularly overflowed till early 1990s, he added.

Three lakes of the city, Ambazari, Telangkhedi and Gorewada, have a glorious history. Ambazari was the only water supply source of the city in Bhonsla era and in British Raj till 1911 when Gorewada became the second source.

Ambazari tank is on the Nag river, from which the city derives its name. The river was dammed by Bhonsla king Bimbaji, who also built Sonegaon and Telangkhedi tanks. In nineteenth century, when Mahal was practically the eastern edge of the city, Gandhisagar was the downstream reservoir of Ambazari. Water was drawn from Shukrawari Talao as it was known then. The British laid pipelines from Ambazari to Gandhisagar, desilted Ambazari and increased the height of the bund to augment capacity. Today, its water is supplied to Hingna MIDC.

Telangkhedi or Futala lake is today managed by Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PKV). In Bhonsla era it was used solely to water the adjoining garden which was exclusively meant for royals. British found its water impotable.

NMC executive engineer Prakash Urade said there was hope for city lakes as central government had launched a rejuvenation scheme. "Gandhisagar and Sonegaon lakes have been included in it. Work on Sonegaon is complete while that on Gandhisagar is in initial stages. Rejuvenation of Ambazari and Telangkhedi lakes has been sanctioned by state government and awaits centre's approval."

Khadan lake, located in Police Line Takli, has been beautified by police department. Sakkardara lake's maintenance has been given to a private operator but it is not satisfactory. Pardi lake lies neglected on eastern edge of the city.