AHMEDABAD: While a robust water conservation system in the form of natural and artificial lakes is crucial for stormwater management, the waterbodies also offer respite from intense heat. The city, however, is not faring well in these aspects, according to a recent study covering 10 lakes in the city.
The study indicated that a majority of them are plagued by degradation and pollution. Four of these lakes were found to have lost 10% or more of their area in the past decade.
The study, 'Status of Selected Wetlands in Ahmedabad', by Vishwa Kuchara, Charan Ronak, Archana Mankad and Hitesh Solanki was published recently in International Association of Biologicals and Computational Digest. It was conducted by the department of botany, bioinformatics and climate change impacts management of Gujarat University.
The study included lakes at Vastrapur, Chandola, Sola, Makarba, Ramol, Vejalpur, Danilimda, Ramol, Vatva and Chandkheda. The researchers used a geographic information system (GIS) for satellite images of the city over the decade to understand the physical changes.
The study spanned data of 20 years, from 2000 to 2022, to understand the changes and found 10% in 'degraded', 40% in 'reconstructed' and 50% in 'shrunk or fragmented' condition.
Except for two lakes, all had recorded at least 5% shrinkage. The highest shrinkage was recorded in Makarba at 15%, followed by Ramol (14%).
"Some of the lakes like Chandola and Vastrapur have been reconstructed for decorative purposes and damage natural vegetation as they use ornamental plants. Chandkheda, Gafurbasti and Danilimda are polluted lakes due to chemical waste, plastic waste and (release of) sewage water," mentioned the study.
It added that many of the lakes are covered with algal bloom and other invasive species such as water hyacinth. The biggest shrinkage was recorded between 2012 and 2022.
City environmentalists said the need of the hour is to ensure conservation through proper planning, creating awareness about need for such conservation, reviving lost water channels that naturally fed these water bodies with fresh water during monsoon, and keep a check on the construction and other encroachments to ensure that these waterbodies that have sustained the city for long remain alive.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, Location Guesser and Mini Crossword. Parth Shastri is senior correspondent at The Times of India, Ahme...
Read MoreParth Shastri is senior correspondent at The Times of India, Ahmedabad. He reports on crime as well as issues related to traffic in the city, forensic investigation, archaeology and emergency medical services.
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