The Lendi Talao, one of the oldest lakes in the Jagnath Budhwari area of the city, is on the path to extinction, just like nearby Dobi Lake, which went extinct in the past. The lake that used to feed Naik Talao and Dobi Talao through its overflow is itself now shrinking due to negligence of authorities, carelessness of the local population, and continuous encroachment happening in the area of the lake for many years. The Lendi Talao occupies an area of around 27 acres in a densely populated area. It doesn’t have the protecting wall like that of Naik Talao nearby, allowing a free hand for encroachment of the lake at a much larger pace. The water in the lake has nearly dried up; instead, tall grass has grown in the lake bed, and multiple shelters of tin have been erected in the lake bed.

 

Years of neglect by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) have left the lake shrinking and in dire need of rejuvenation. Local residents have voiced concerns over the lack of efforts to preserve this once-pristine water resource, which is now plagued by encroachments and environmental degradation. The Government had given in-principle approval of the rejuvenation of nearly 7 acres of the lake back in 2022 under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme. The local citizens feared this rejuvenation might actually leave the area of the lake to only 7 acres and lose the rest of the area. Unfortunately or fortunately, the project never went ahead, leaving space for protecting the whole area this time around. Once a lifeline for the neighbourhood, Lendi Talao has suffered from unchecked urbanisation and apathy. Encroachments along its banks have narrowed the lake, reducing its size dramatically.

 

Garbage dumping and silt accumulation have worsened the situation, further diminishing its capacity to retain water. The lake, which was once a key recharge point for the area’s groundwater, is now struggling to fulfil its ecological role. Despite repeated appeals from residents, the NMC has failed to take concrete steps to restore Lendi Talao. “The lake is disappearing before our eyes. Encroachments have gone unchecked, and the lack of desilting or cleaning operations has left it in a pitiable state,” said a local resident, adding that the water body is now a breeding ground for mosquitoes and a health hazard for nearby residents. The neglect of Lendi Talao is a glaring example of how urban development often comes at the expense of natural resources. Without immediate intervention, the city risks losing not just a lake but also a crucial piece of its environmental and cultural heritage.