The plan for construction of city’s biggest artificial tank in Gorewada area is going to be a matter of concern for the Forest Department in the near future as Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is constructing the tank very close to the forest area of Gorewada. The tank, which will be used for immersion of big idols during festival season, can raise life threat for wild animals like leopard, wild boar, and spotted deer, as these animals frequently venture outside the Gorewada forest area close to the spot where the tank’s construction has been proposed. To avoid idol immersion inside the city water bodies, NMC will construct three big artificial tanks in the city. The Gorewada tank will be the biggest one among the three. “From last two years, we have completely restricted immersion of idols in city lakes. Till date, citizens are immersing big idols in Koradi based artificial tank which comes under the jurisdiction of rural Nagpur. Keeping the requirement in mind, NMC decided to construct three big tanks in city which will be situated in Gorewada area, Kachhi Visa area and near Police Line Takli lake in Police Line Takli,” Dr Gajendra Mahalle, Deputy Commissioner, Solid Waste Management Department, NMC told ‘The Hitavada’.

 

“The Gorewada tank will be the biggest one in city, even bigger than the tank in Koradi. The depth of the tank will be 6 metre in which people can immerse idols of 15-20 ft height,” said Dr Mahalle. When asked about the safety of wild animals in the area, Dr Mahalle said, “We will construct retaining wall around the tank and other than festival season the tank will be empty. NMC will fill water in the tank during festival season only.” However, the construction of retaining wall around the tank will not keep wild animals safe as animals like leopard and monkeys can climb walls easily. Similarly, empty tank which is 6 metre deep can also raise life threat for wild animals. If the tank is not cover then rain water can accumulate in it will help in breeding of mosquitoes.