Bangar assures to remove encroachment around Futala lake
| Date :01-Jul-2019 |
By Vikas Vaidya:
Futala is the third largest water body within the city limits and is located in the western part of the city. The lake is spread in an area of around 40 hectares and its proximity to Seminary Hills adds to its beauty. The lake water is no longer potable and it serves only a recreational value. Preservation of lake can help in keeping several water resources alive.
Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has taken this lake along with Naik Talao as part of its rejuvenation of lake project. NMC thought there would be a smooth sailing for the project as there is no encroachment or settlement like it is on Lendi Talao. But it is wrong, because there is a menace in the form of a lawn below the Botanical Garden. When one goes towards Vayusena Nagar, one would come across the lawn, probably owned by son of an ex-Corporator. He started the lawn long back and gradually spread its area grabbing the lake. Abhijeet Bangar was unaware of this encroachment. But when it was brought to his notice, he said that he would take strict action and would remove the encroachment. “Nobody is allowed to run any such commercial activity at the bank of any waterbody unless the civic body gives its consent,” Bangar made it clear.
There are several challenges the civic body is expected to face. The lake wall on the side of the road that goes towards Vayusena Nagar has collapsed and remains unattended. Overflow of the lake lies on the North-East side. Unfortunately huge garbage is visible on this side. Scorching heat of this summer has made this lake suffer as some parts of the lake have gone dry. Though the lake has long catchment area, it has become barren as no tree cover remained there leading to soil erosion which is a major concern.Yuvraj Nagpure, who did a good work at Lendi lake, has also played important role in removing the vegetation on Futala lake too. But that did not last long.
Nagpure said, “It is a continuous process. While maintaining lakes the cleaning work is to be done continuously and meticulously. Time gap creates problem.” Disturbed catchment with many activities there have resulted in dropping the water levels. The siltation at several places is being observed by the environmentalists. Second problem this lake faces is due to immersion of idols. To keep the significance of the lake alive the existing overflow needs to be designed properly. Catchment activities should be managed to control incoming silt and disturbed storm water flow from the lake catchment. The ecology in the lake also needs to be taken care of.
Now Government is planning to construct a fountain inside the lake. Some people say it would affect the ecology of the waterbody. It is being constructed by Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and it claimed that it sought report from various agencies who say there is no harm to aqua-life in the waterbody. NIT did not specify from whom it sought the report.