Even after two years of spreading of Eichhornia weeds in Ambazari lake and one-and-a-half year after devastating flood in Naag river, the dominance of this fast spreading aquatic plant in the lake continues as Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has failed to curb this menace. As per the order of Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court, the authorities are working on a war-footing to strengthen and clean the water body, but the Eichhornia weed is giving a tough time to authorities.

 

The condition of the lake is same as it was during last year’s monsoon period. NMC is spending crores of rupees in the name of cleaning and removing weeds from the lake but no change can be seen. The civic body is utilising technology, taking advice from different consulting firms but the situation of the lake remain the same. The Southwest Monsoon is on the door steps and the flooding of weeds in the water body is raising question over the monsoon preparedness of the civic body. CSIR-NEERI provided a machine called ‘Jal Dost’ for removing the weeds from the water body one year ago but it is also now non-functional as the machine has limitations. According to a senior official from the Solid Waste Management Department of NMC, “The machine provided by CSIR-NEERI is capable of lifting only one ton of weeds at a time from the lake and after lifting the weeds, the dumping takes place manually.

 

Therefore, it always requires manpower with it.” Recently, NMC acquired an aquatic weed harvester which was used in Sabarmati River Front cleaning and now in use for cleaning for Yamuna river in Delhi. NMC hired the machine for two months and for this, the civic body will pay Rs 30 lakh to the company. Apart from this, NMC also deployed self-help groups to make Eichhornia weed based products like baskets, bags, cutlery etc. The women from self-help groups dry the weeds and make it into these items on other side of the lake.

 

“The self-help groups are making products by using 100 kg of weeds daily. But Eichhornia growth in the lake takes place at a much faster rate,” said Dr Gajendra Mahalle, Sanitation Officer. Apart from Eichhornia weeds menace, the civic administration is working hard to maintain the movement of water flow during monsoon season from the overflow side of Ambazari lake. For this, the administration re-constructed the bridge and enlarged the culvert under it. The lake bed is also deepened near the overflow side. Despite all these efforts, the citizens who are residing on both the sides of Naag river are worried of heavy rains and are urging the administration to be prepared for the upcoming monsoon season.