THE historic Naik Talao now adorns a fresh and welcome look. With retaining walls around the waterbody, designated place for a garden and walking tracks, the optics are complete. A picturesque place is ready for Nagpur to be enjoyed yet again. The change, effected by Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) firm efforts, is welcome. Yet, the promise of rejuvenation of the lake remains a ‘work in progress’. The lake-front has undergone beautification, but Naik Talao’s ecosystem still awaits transformation -- from a sewage-carrier to a clean waterbody. The NMC has blocked 38 sewage inflow pipes that once channelled raw waste directly into the Naik Talao. It was claimed in the civic body’s press release as the Mayor and her new team promised walking track around the lake. The celebrations on revival of the lake are welcome by the city that was fearing death of another historic lake.

 

The lake has been saved, but its sustenance will be ensured only after the contaminated water matches the colour of the tap water. How much work is left for rejuvenation of Naik Talao after its revival can be understood from water samples from tap and the lake collected by ‘The Hitavada’ team (See accompanying picture). While stopping the flow of fresh sewage was a necessary first step, addressing the problem of toxic waste and sludge accumulated at the lake’s bottom over decades will help in actual rejuvenation of the lake. Environmental logic tells that comprehensive desilting is mandatory to restore a lake’s health. However, NMC officials admitted, there are currently no plans for further desilting or clearing of the lake bottom. “Desilting was done in the past, and the administration is now focusing on completion of the rejuvenation project by the end of this year,” an officer said. It indicates that, instead of ecological restoration, the focus has shifted entirely to aesthetics.

 

The rejuvenation project costs around Rs 5.82 crore. The funds are earmarked for construction of walking tracks, repairing boundary walls and installing steel nets to prevent further littering. The NMC is now waiting on NEERI to collect water samples next week. Officials claim, they will follow NEERI’s directives for water quality management. It will actually mark the beginning of the rejuvenation process of the lake. The cosmetic upgrades are now in place. Ensuring the lake-bed is cleaned of all the muck will be the real cause of celebration.