This is in response to the worry and concern expressed by Vijay Phanshikar, the Loosefooter over the vanishing lakes of Nagpur city in the last 30-40 years (CityLine March 19). This is not his worry, it concerns all the citizens of Nagpur. In today’s time, more importance is given to ‘clean environment’, which includes lakes, water bodies, trees, gardens, etc. in the interest of people’s health. But instead of preserving this natural gift, we are bent upon destroying it. The Loosefooter’s next concern is who is responsible for maintaining it or on whom the accountability be fixed. This is not his first article on the issue.

 

Clearly, he wanted to know, who is the real sinner? In the past also, ‘The Hitavada’ published his articles with pictures. In the current article, he gave a list of as many as 6 lakes, which lost or are losing their presence. Needless to say, there are 3 major lakes like Futara, Jumma tank and Ambazari, which are surely not in their original shape and need urgent attention to maintain and further beautify them. But unfortunately, very little is done and unsuccessful attempts are made by the authorities to preserve, maintain and beautify them. There may be difficulties, no doubt, but nothing is impossible if serious and sincere efforts are made. In the name of development, we are cutting many age-old trees mercilessly. As, at present, it is hoping against the hopes as far as lakes’ survival is concerned. Will the authorities and city leaders take up this issue on priority basis? After all, it is in the interest of all. 

 

 

The crusader ‘The Hitavada’ has arrived on the scene to guide and activate every Nagpurian to break the long silence on gobbling up lakes of this beautiful city. Hitavada’s eye opener article dated March 19, 2026 has stirred the minds of its readers to a great effect. Yes, as a real sinner, we have to wake up and take the cudgels to save the lake areas through the governing medium of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) and also, through the strong hands of city fathers. At this crucial juncture, Nagpur city is fortunate to have women power at the helm of city affairs and they can nurture the steps to be taken for stopping the pain of bleeding lakes. The city founders had given us the serene lakes to live in and we enjoyed it for a long time. But somewhere down the timeline, we faltered and the result is the city lakes are experiencing severe pain of human encroachment. If all the odds are presently against the welfare of city lakes, then what are the remedies? The citizens have so many ideas for rejuvenating the city lakes. Of late, Sports Authority of India (SAI) has started developing its mega sports centre in the Wathoda area. If some of the city lakes are earmarked to SAI, international level water sports facilities may be developed. Awarding some of the city lakes to SAI will be a boon for proposed hosting of Olympic Games in India in 2036. NMC, as a primary civic service provider, has to cater to a vast number of citizens and therefore, it will be wrong to expect efforts from them to maintain the city lakes. In this aspect, NMC/NIT may float tenders for maintaining the city lakes. Symposium and seminars may be conducted by RTM Nagpur University for getting proposals from city architects, NGOs, VNIT, NEERI, NGT and concerned governing bodies. Once the best course is evolved, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for proper maintenance of city lakes may be defined. Every citizen has to treat the city lakes as our heritage and pride. The role of the Heritage Conservation Committee assumes greater significance in evolving an SOP in consultation with all the stakeholders. If we activate ourselves and mobilise the governing bodies, then we will be doing yeoman service for the future citizens of this great Nagpur city. 

 

 

With his article on the dire state of city lakes, the loose footer has once again raised an alarm to protect the decaying and disappearing water bodies of the city. Time and again, he has been raising this issue in his writings. However, this one sounds more like an SOS call coming from the once thriving lakes of city through loosefooter’s pen. There are three main reasons around which the sad story of our lakes involve. The first and foremost being their encroachment, second is waste pollution and last, but not the least, is trapping and suffocating the water bodies with concrete and steel in name of beautification only to generate funds. After a long hiatus, the city finally has a local body. It will be only prudent for the community representatives to take charge of the listed lakes falling under their constituency with a sincere intent to bring them back to life. This task can be better accomplished by involving nature activists and prominent thinktanks from the society who will be more than happy to be of assistance in this pious mission of rejuvenating our ‘Talaos’.