Post revival, Lendi Talao may shrink to a pond

Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has given wrong information about the total area of Lendi Talao in central Nagpur, due to which it is all set to lose 77% area. The central and state governments have approved rejuvenation of only 23% area.
Green crusader Shrikant Deshpande termed the decision as major destruction of city’s environment. “Rejuvenation of 23% area is a step towards converting the lake into a pond. Any water body cannot be called a lake after lost 77% of its catchment area. It can be termed a major irregularity,” he said.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis performed rejuvenation project of the lake on Friday. The government has approved Rs14.13 crore for it under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT).
The state government, which owned the lake, had transferred the water body to NMC on June 13, 2018, for rejuvenation. In the press release issued after bhoomi puja, NMC mentioned that total area of the lake is 2.6 hectare (6.42 acres). While handing over the possession, the state had mentioned lake’s area as 28.5 acres.
While handing over the lake, the state had clearly told NMC to avoid division of total area and giving it on lease.
NMC had sought funds for the lake’s revival under State Lakes Conservation Plan (SLCP) a couple of years ago. But the state rejected it and gave directions to remove encroachments.
Shockingly, the state had cleared the project in 23% area under AMRUT 2.0, followed by Centre’s approval.
Shanties on majority of 77% area of lake have been left of the project, hinting that NMC will seek to regularize encroachments and convert sprawling catchment area into concrete jungle.
TOI on October 12, 2022 had reported about the controversial proposal of NMC and clearance from high-level committee of the state.
Similar irregularity was committed in case of Pandhrabodi lake which dying a slow death.
NMC officials did not respond to TOI’s calls.
The project should not be termed as rejuvenation, said Deshpande and demanded a special authority for rejuvenation of lakes, and removal of encroachments