Sakkardara lake in bad state even before immersions

Nagpur: The condition of Sakkardara lake is the worst among city lakes, and it has even deteriorated compared to last year, reveals a latest analysis.
Water quality of Futala, Gandhisagar, Sakkardara and Sonegaon lakes was tested during a pre-immersion water monitoring programme conducted by NGO Green Vigil Foundation. Every year, the organization tests the condition of lakes before and after immersion of Ganesh and other festivals. The lakes are tested for different parameters including turbidity, dissolved oxygen and pH value.
Analysis of the collected water samples found Sakkardara lake to be in a very bad shape, calling out for immediate attention. At 3 milligrams per litre (mg/l), its dissolved oxygen continues to be the lowest of all lakes like last year. From 55 Jackson Turbidity Unit (JTU), the lake’s turbidity has increased to nearly 70 JTU this year.
Highlighting the findings, founder of Green Vigil Kaustav Chatterjee said, “Sakkardara is the worst affected as there is hardly any water, and weeds all around. The lake is surrounded by slums from two sides, which has sewage intrusion in it.”
While the quality of Futala and Sonegaon lake water is almost similar to last year, the decline in water level of Gandhisagar lake, which is under rejuvenation, is concerning. “Whatever little water that is left is rainwater. The pH and turbidity have also been comparatively low as compared to last year’s data,” said NGO’s team lead Surbhi Jaiswal.
She added that the pollution needs to be controlled at Futala lake, especially intrusion of sewage in the water body. “We expect dissolved oxygen level to rise once the fountain is operating regularly,” said Jaiswal.
Following the analysis, activists said that barricading all lakes is the only solution to protect city’s deteriorating water bodies. “Lakes need to be barricaded not only during Ganpati but also during Teej and devi visarjan. Also, the number as well as volume of artificial tanks need to be increased. Immersion of big idols of 5 feet and above will be a real challenge,” added Chatterjee.
The members added that immersions took place in the lakes during Janmashtami too. “In spite of presence of a huge artificial tank at Sonegaon lake, people immersed idols in the water body, especially of nirmalaya. Lakes should have been barricaded during Janmashtami too,” said Mehul Kosurkar, deputy team lead, GVF.
The NGO has appealed to the citizens not to immerse idols and nirmalya in lakes during Ganesh and devi visarjan.