Binaki Mangalwari on verge of extinction
| Date :08-Jul-2019 |
By Vikas Vaidya:
Once a rich source of water, the water body has failed to identify itself as a lake thanks to callous civic authority and greedy citizens residing nearby
The unfortunate part of Binaki Mangalwari is, it could never occupy place in the list of lakes of Nagpur, thanks to Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). NMC had prepared a Master Plan about rejuvenation of lakes of Nagpur city way back in 2008. Shockingly, Binaki Mangalwai was not a part of that plan. Why? The reasons best known to the authorities.
There is a general feeling among people of this area which is a part of Central, West and East Nagpur that NMC is giving step-motherly treatment to them by neglecting water bodies. This area is blessed with four lakes -- Naik Talao, Dobe Talao, Lendi Talao and Binaki Mangalwari. But total callous attitude on the part of civic authorities has made it difficult for these lakes to survive. Of course, people’s contribution to help civic authorities to make these lakes die also can not ignored. Binaki Mangalwari lake has become a victim because of the apathy shown by local residents and planning authority. The lake is surrounded by the locality. If one stands on its bank and have a look at it, one could easily gets a feeling as if the locality is gradually swallowing the lake.
The locality has connected the nullahs, sewage line that go into the lake. The people of nearby vicinity are using this lake for the immersion of idols. Recently, weeds of the lake were cleaned by the civic body but that was not a complete work. Yuvraj Nagpure, who runs a agency that takes the work of cleaning the lakes, told ‘The Hitavada’, “The lake was spread on 7 acre land but now it has reduced to 2 acre. Recently, I did a lot of work on this lake. I lifted the water and cleaned it. It paved way for opening the water resources. It resulted in increasing the water level.
But something more needs to be done.” People residing in the area are not happy the way civic authority is dealing Binaki Mangalwari lake. They alleged that public representatives were neglecting the beautification of the lake. The lake is encroached by the residents. “This is a very old lake but now it is getting reduced to small pond. It is becoming breeding place for mosquitoes and several persons are getting affected by malaria, dengue. Binaki Mangalwari can be termed as a classic example of what could happen to a water body, once a rich source of water,” regretted an old man standing near the dying lake.