Kolkata: The water level of Rabindra Sarobar in south Kolkata’s Dhakuria area has gone down drastically in the past several months raising concern among enviornmentalists and regular visitors.
Pointing out that dredging should be undertaken immediately at Rabindra Sarobar, labelled as a national lake, environmentalist and spokesperson of anti-pollution ‘Save Rabindra Sarobar’ campaign (launched to stop religious festivals in the water body five years back), S M Ghosh told PTI Sunday that the water level has declined to six feet (1.82 metre) at some spots in the middle of the lake .
“Even 60 years back people from Gobindapur slum, adjacent to the lake, used to come here to wash utensils, and children had a good time splashing water. The structure of the old ghat which had submerged has resurfaced. The water level of the lake has depleted by more than half in past years which has resulted in the drop in groundwater level,” Ghosh said.
The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), custodian of the water body, undertakes dredging of the lake.
A KMDA official said visitors and staff have reported that ‘char’ (surface land) has come up in two parts of the lake near its boundary, and water level has come down to some extent in the middle of the lake.
“This is unprecedented in the lake’s history in recent years. We are aware of the development and an emergency meeting has been called to take stock of the situation.”
“Lack of adequate rain in past one year might have triggered the crisis but we have to think of alternatives to restore the lake to its earlier state,” the official said.
Asked about the remedial measures, he said the KMDA is mulling over a proposal to temporarily plug outlet channels which carry the flow of water from the water body to outside.
The lake will soon be mapped by experts, the official said.
Another KMDA official said the water body has a depth of about 20 feet in the middle.
Geo Scientist Sujib Kar said “Previously Rabindra Sarobar was linked with river Ganga. But after a devastating storm in 1737, the lake was detached from the river and the flow from the Adi-Ganga was choked.”
The lake is still linked with Adi-Ganga through a sub-surface water-bearing strata, extending from 16 mt. to 46 mt, as a result of which the discharge of water in the form of sub-surface flow towards Adi-Ganga canal is causing a drop in the water level of the lake, he explained.
Rabindra Sarobar is a 90-acre water body surrounded by around 100 acre of surface area rich in flora and fauna.
“Protection of the water body is urgent and if we are unable to protect the lake, then vast areas between Golpark and Tollygunje in southern parts of the city might be affected,” Kar said.
Dear Reader,
Over the past four years, EastMojo revolutionised the coverage of Northeast India through our sharp, impactful, and unbiased overage. And we are not saying this: you, our readers, say so about us. Thanks to you, we have become Northeast India’s largest, independent, multimedia digital news platform.
Now, we need your help to sustain what you started.
We are fiercely protective of our ‘independent’ status and would like to remain so: it helps us provide quality journalism free from biases and agendas. From travelling to the remotest regions to cover various issues to paying local reporters honest wages to encourage them, we spend our money on where it matters.
Now, we seek your support in remaining truly independent, unbiased, and objective. We want to show the world that it is possible to cover issues that matter to the people without asking for corporate and/or government support. We can do it without them; we cannot do it without you.
Support independent journalism, subscribe to EastMojo.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Rampant withdrawal of ground water in various parts of Kolkata and restricted recharge of ground water due to dwindling number of water bodies is causing strain on Rabindra Sarobar which acts as the feeder of ground water of a vast area and this is triggering seasonal fluctuations of water level in the lake, Kar said.
Claiming that no mapping of the water body had taken place in the last five decades, Ghosh said this should have been carried out every five years.
Also Read | RBI expects most Rs 2,000 notes returned by Sep 30: RBI Governor
Trending Stories
- India’s services sector output increases at 2nd-fastest pace in May: PMI
- India, US to establish ambitious roadmap for defence industrial cooperation
- Indian-origin teacher banned from England schools for hiding fraud case
- Indian-Americans thrilled to be part of Modi’s first state visit to US
- Assam: Aaranyak holds media workshop on human-wildlife coexistence
- Nepal’s 81.19% population is Hindu despite decline in followers
