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1 Experience and Lessons Learned Brief for 2 Bhoj Wetland 3 4 Dr. M.S. Kodarkar 5 Head, Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists 6 , India 7 8 9 1. INTRODUCTION : 10 11 South Asia, home to over one fifth of the world’s population is facing water crisis. This 12 region is in the grip of flood and draught cycles and there is a need to have a long term 13 strategy for management of its water resources. Big and small water bodies in the form of 14 lakes and reservoirs dot landscape of south Asia. These ecosystems impound precious 15 freshwater and make up the most easily accessible source for many human uses. 16 Historically, major cities in this region flourished in geographical regions with assured 17 water supply that sustained civilization for centauries. Unfortunately, last half of 19" 18 Centaury is witness to large scale degradation of environment in general and water 19 resources in particular, due to a number of anthropogenic factors like un-precedented 20 population growth and consequent urbanization, industrialization and chemical intensive 21 agriculture (Kodarkar, 1995). The first victims of this degradative process were the lakes 22 and reservoirs in the vicinity of urban areas that underwent large scale pollution due to 23 sewage and/or industrial effluents and toxic chemicals. In most of the cases nutrient 24 enrichment led to eutrophication (Edmondson, 1991) with a number of negative 25 manifestations like : 26 27 1. Permanent algal blooms and poor water quality 28 2. Wild growth of macrophytes like water hyacinth and loss of biodiversity 29 3. Breeding of vectors like mosquitoes and snails and impacts on public health 30 4. Foul smell due to gases like hydrogen Sulphide (H2S), Ammonia (NH3) etc. 31 5. Fish/Bird kills and 32 6. Ground water pollution 33 34 Further, there was drastic alteration in morphometry and water holding capacity of lakes 35 and reservoirs due to dumping of garbage, solid waste and silt. The process is further 36 aggravated by encroachments and unauthorized construction activities in the catchment 37 and on the lake bed. When compared with rural, the impact of degradation is more severe 38 in urban areas due to high population density. 39 40 Due to ecological, economical and recreational potential of lakes, there is an urgent need 41 of their protection, rehabilitation and conservation as precious natural resource. By 42 suitable remedial measures a lake can bestow a number of benefits like : 43 44 1. Charging of groundwater table : Water bodies by acting as percolation source 45 recharge the groundwater table. In India in the last two decades there is constant fall 46 of water table in urban areas due to poor recharge on account of wanton destruction of 47 surface water resources. Depletion of water table may even endanger the food security 48 due to loss of agricultural production for want of adequate groundwater for irrigation. 49

1 DRAFT: Not for Citation or Distribution Bhoj Wetland

1 2. Aquaculture : If properly utilized urban water bodies can be effectively utilized for 2 fish production. Unfortunately the planners give very low priority to this aspect and 3 many water bodies are rendered useless due to heavy pollution from domestic sewage 4 and consequent eutrophication. Apart from supplying food, aquaculture can be an 5 effective measure for reducing nutrient load on a water body. 6 7 3. Flood regulation, moderation and control : Almost all cities in the country 8 experience flooding even after moderate rains. This is happening mainly due to 9 inadequate drainage facilitties in haphazardly developing urban zones and destruction 10 of water bodies. The latter use to act like buffers moderating the impact of flooding. 11 12 4. Conditioning of the climate : Urban areas are developing into concrete jungles with 13 very less greenery leading to hotter climate. A water body acts as an effective climate 14 conditioner and maintains temperature at lower levels in the surrounding areas. 15 16 5. Sustenance of colloidal water for vegetation : Greenery depends on colloidal water 17 in the soil which is replenished by surface water resources. 18 19 6. Sustenance of biodiversity : It is universally accepted fact that survival of man is 20 dependent on survival of plant and animal species which form mosaic of biodiversity. 21 Areas like estuaries and wetlands are hotspots of productivity and flora-fauna 22 interaction. Thus water bodies in general play an important role in sustenance of 23 biodiversity. 24 25 7. Recreational sites : Lakes and reservoirs can be protected as aqua-parks and 26 recreational centers generating jobs and services. 27 28 8. The sediment of most of the lakes is rich in organic matter and can be effectively 29 used as manure for kitchen gardens and parks. 30 31 9. The livelihood of lake dependent communities like washer men and small dairy 32 farmers belonging to weaker sections of the society depends on healthy lakes. These 33 communities are one of the key stake holders of these resources. 34 35 10. Community asset with cultural and educational value: 36 37 To achieve this, there is a need of a clear cut lake protection strategy as an integral 38 component of national water policy. 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

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1 Fig. 1. Upper Lake and (Bhoj Wetlands), , , India. 2

3 4 Fig. 1. Bhoj wetlands, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India 5 6 Table 1. Profile of the lakes (physical). 7 Item UPPER LAKE LOWERLAKE Constructed in 11th Century A.D. Late 17th Century Type of dam Earthen Earthen Latitude 23012'- 23o16'N 23 o 14'- 23 o 16'N Longitude 77 o l 8' - 77 o 23' E 77 o 24'- 77 o 25'E Catchment area (Sq.lcm.) 361 9.6 Submergence area at FTL 36.54 0.90 (Sq.km.) Full'Fank Level (MSL) (m) 508.65 499.88 Dead Storage Level (MSL) (m) 503.53 499.88 Storage capacity (million cum.) 117.05 4.3 Maximum depth (m) 11.7 9.4 Source of water Rain water & Sewage Rain water, Seepage from Upper Lake and Domestic Sewage Main use of water Potable water supply Washing and Boating 8 Lakes of Bhopal (Fig. 1., Table 1.) : 9 10 Bhopal, the historical city and the capital of state of Madhya Pradesh, can be called 11 limnological capital of India as pioneering work in this field was initiated on two lakes 12 dominating the landscape of this urban sprawl. Further, these lakes are perhaps the first 13 ecosystems that were subjected to intensive management and lessons learnt in this field 14 can be applicable in whole South Asian region. 15 16 The historic Upper Lake impounded in the 11th century is a classic prototype of urban 17 water body. With well-protected catchment, its water quality was of potable standard up 18 to recent times (Singh. and Anandh, 1996). However, in the last two decades of 20th 19 Centaury as the city grew many sections of the Lake were encircled by habitation. These 20 developments generated the anthropogenic pressures on the Lake thus accelerating the

3 DRAFT: Not for Citation or Distribution Bhoj Wetland

1 process of eutrophication and making the water unfit for human consumption without 2 proper treatment (IS, 1984). 3 4 Table 2. Water quality of lower lake in Bhopal (1991-92). 5 Parameter Range Temperature CC) 19-30 pH 7.15-9.7 Transparency (cm) 14-98 Conductivity (µS at 250C) 259-374 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) mg/L 86-169 Hardness (mg/L) 68-154 Chlorides (mg/L) 14.9-88.9 Total phosphorus 0.106-1.02 Total nitrogen (mg/L) 1.08-1.46 6 7 The Lower Lake, constructed in the 19th Century is an integral part of upper lake 8 ecosystem and a source of raw water for the urban development and domestic water needs 9 like washing, bathing etc. As in the case of many urban water bodies all over India, the 10 Lower Lake was subjected to all kinds of negative anthropogenic stresses. Further, drastic 11 alteration of its morphometry and degradation of water quality (Table 2) prompted the 12 authorities to initiate the action plan for rehabilitation, protection and conservation of the 13 two lakes. The outcome of this initiative was Bhoj Wetland Project, which is funded by 14 Japan Bank of International Cooperation (PBIC) and is a fine example of Indo-Japanese 15 co-operation in the field of ecology and environment. 16 17 3. BHOJ WETLAND PROJECT: 18 19 The Lake Conservation and Management Project also known as Bhoj Wetland Project, 20 envisages tackling of various issues associated with conservation and management of the 21 Upper and Lower Lakes of Bhopal, under a multi-pronged strategy. Although these issues 22 are deeply interrelated and inter-linked, for operational and management convenience, 23 they are addressed under different independently executed sub-projects. The proposed 24 action plan is not one time quick solution but should trigger a chain reaction so as to make 25 the management sustainable. The identified 16 sub-projects are as follows : 26 27 I . Desilting and Dredging of the Lakes

28 2. Deepening & Widening of the Spill Channel

29 3. Restoration of the island

30 4. Catchment Area Treatment (Artificial wetland)

31 5. Afforestation, Creation of Buffer Zones

32 6. Construction of Check dams, Silt traps, Toe walls & Cascading

33 7. Construction of Garland drains

34 8. Prevention of Pollution (sewerage schemes)

35 9. Management of Shoreline and Fringe Areas

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1 10. Link road from Retghat to Lalghati

2 11. Solid Waste Management

3 12. Prevention of Pollution from Dhobi ghats

4 13. Monitoring of Water Quality

5 14. De-weeding

6 15. Biological Control through Aquaculture

7 16. Installation of Floating Fountains.

8 9 Socioeconomic context: 10 11 While the upper lake is the major source of potable water and meets 35% demand of 12 drinking water for city's growing population, lower lake can be mainly a recreational site. 13 Moreover, water of the latter can be effectively utilized for fish production and other non- 14 potable uses by restoring its water quality to grade B. 15 16 4. BIOPHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: 17 18 A. Upper Lake 19 20 From the time water supply scheme for the city was commissioned in the late 19th century 21 up to the mid 20th century, water of upper lake used to be supplied without filtration or any 22 other treatment. However, subsequently the lake underwent gradual environmental 23 degradation including pollution of its water under the anthropogenic impacts. In addition to 24 this, in recent times, natural factors like soil erosion and siltation resulting from changes in 25 the catchment, increase in the population; particularly along the periphery of the lake, 26 cultural siltation on account of immersion of idols and tajias during festivals and inflow of 27 untreated sewage and waste water from surrounding localities have lead to considerable 28 deterioration of Upper lake water quality. Similarly vast area of the earlier water spread 29 has either been replaced by silted land masses or, covered with aquatic weeds. Failure or 30 inadequate monsoon in recent past has further worsened the situation. The seriousness of 31 environmental degradation of upper lake becomes more glaring on the background that for 32 want of any river, in this region, it is the only reliable potable water source for ever 33 growing Bhopal city and conservation and management of upper take assumes added 34 urgency for its sustainable use as the potable water source. 35 36 B. Lower Lake: 37 38 The quality of water in the Lower Lake has far more deteriorated than that in the Upper 39 Lake (Pani and Misra, 1993). Surrounded by the busy and congested city on all sides, the 40 Lower Lake receives its water mainly from 28 point and 6 non point sources which carry 41 untreated sewage and waste water from settlements around the lake. 42 43

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Conservation of wetlands in urban environment :

Awful

Bad

Fair

Good

V. good 0 25 50 74 100% % Phosphate loading

• Nitrates and phosphates are the nutrients responsible for degradation of a water body. The sources of nutrients are sewage, detergents and effluents from industries like paper, sugar, starch etc. • Nutrient enrichment leads to eutrophication. Reversing the eutrophication to restore the water quality and bio-geo- chemical cycles and establishment of biodiversity are the major issues involved in lake management and form the basis of remedial measures.

1 2 3 Fig. 2. Relationship between phosphorus loading and the water quality (Edmondaon, 1991). 4 5 A large number of dhobighats (Laundry washing sites) along periphery pollute the lake by 6 releasing effluents containing phosphate rich soaps, caustic soda and detergents directly 7 into the water body (Fig. 2). Apart from this, large quantities of organic waste in the form 8 of floral offerings are also added into the lake. The resultant organic enrichment leads to 9 eutrophication of the water body with extremely degraded water quality and a number of 10 negative manifestations discussed earlier. 11 12 A large part of Lower Lake is covered with aquatic weeds and the foul smell of 13 decomposing weeds and blooms of blue green algae like Microcystis is ever perceptible 14 around it. A significant part of the lake near Banganga inlet, Kamla Park and 15 Jehangirabad is heavily silted and covered with weeds. 16 17 5. PROGRESS OF THE PROJECT : 18 19 5.1 Desilting & Dredging of the lakes 20 21 Over the years, lot of silt has accumulated in the lakes causing deterioration in the water 22 quality and reduction in their water holding capacities. Very fine silt containing organic 23 matter has accumulated in the deeper portion of the lake which is proposed to be dredged 24 out. At the points at which in-lets from the catchment (nallahs) and rivulets meet the 25 lakes the silt accumulation is a major problem. As a result of siltation peripheral areas are 26 getting shallower with rooted vegetation further reducing lake area. Desilting is being 27 carried out in such areas. 28 29 5.2 Deepening and widening of Spill Channel : 30 31 The Upper lake discharges its surplus water through a 4.4 km. long spill channel which 32 too has got silted and was getting obstructed due to growth of weeds. So far bout 9.87 33 lack cubic meter soil digging work is completed. 34 35 5.3 Restoration of the Island:

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1 2 'Takia' is a small island in the Upper Lake. It’s banks were eroded and in the peripheral 3 area, siltation has taken place. The island is of historical importance and place of worship 4 and a number remedial measures are completed for its environmental protection, up- 5 gradation and restoration. 6 7 5.4 Catchment Area Treatment : Aforestation to create buffer zones: 8 9 In order to prevent encroachment, illegal human settlements, movement of cattle and 10 cultivation on exposed shore zones of the lake, buffer zone is created along the periphery 11 of Upper Lake. Extensive block and avenue plantation of more than 1 million trees is 12 already completed and maintained. The buffer zones will not only help check 13 encroachment of lake bed but also arrest or reduce the flow of silt from this portion of the 14 catchment area into the lake. 15 16 5.5 Construction of check dams, silt traps, toe walls and cascading: 17 18 The construction of these structures is partly completed and once in place they will reduce 19 influx of silt from the catchment. The problem of sitation is more acute in the case of 20 Lower Lake and construction of Check Dam, Silt trap & gabion Structures is in progress. 21 In the case of Upper Lake 10 low lever and 6 high Level gabions & 1 Silt trap is already 22 completed. 23 24 5.6 Construction of garland drains: 25 26 Due to the general slope of ground near the immediate peripheral area of the lakes, 27 pollutants mixed in the rain and drain water find their way into the water bodies. To solve 28 this problem garland drains are to be constructed, mainly around the Lower Lake and a 29 part of the Upper Lake. The work on this project is in progress. 30 31 5.7 Prevention of Pollution (Sewerage) Schemes: 32 33 A section of shore line in Upper Lake and most of the shore of Lower Lake has human 34 habitation and for lack of adequate sewer lines untreated sewage finds its way into the 35 lakes. Under this project a net work of sewer lines will collect the sewage from 36 settlements and direct it to Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) for treatment and disposal of 37 the same down the Lower Lake. Such STPs are already completed. 38 39 5.8 Management of shoreline and fringe Areas: Construction of link road from Retghat 40 to Lalghati: 41 42 Towards the northern portion of the upper lake, construction of a road adjoining the lake 43 is proposed which will prevent encroachment of lake bed in this thickly populated area. It 44 will also act as relief to the heavy traffic on the Indore-Bhopal Highway passing through 45 the city. The proposed road with 500 mt long bridge, will connect two localities known as 46 Retghat and Lalghati. 47 48 49 5.9 Management of solid waste: 50

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1 Apart from the sewage and sullage, solid waste also contributes to the pollution of the 2 lakes. This sub project provides for solid waste management in wards in the catchment 3 area near the lakes. 4 5 5.10 Prevention of pollution from Dhobigats: 6 7 Traditional washermen communities are using lakes for washing of cloths and polluting 8 the water. Under Bhoj Wetland Project a scheme has been proposed to shift these 9 washing sites from Lakes to an area down stream of the Lower Lake. The success of this 10 programme depends on co-operation of this stakeholder community and proper creation of 11 necessary infra-structure. The project is being successfully completed. 12 13 5.11 Deweeding: 14 15 As a consequence of eutrophication weed infestation is common in both the lakes. 16 Further, systematic cultivation of Trapa is going on, on the western shore of Upper Lake. 17 Unchecked growth of weeds not only accelerates eutrophication but also provides 18 breeding ground for vectors having direct impact on public health. Desiltation to some 19 extent can help reduce this problem but in addition to this, there is a need of regular up 20 keep and manual or mechnical removal of weeds. The Trapa cultivators need to be 21 rehabilitated elsewhere. 22 23 5.12 Aquaculture: 24 25 Traditional fishermen communities should be encouraged to initiate scientific fishery 26 development. Depending on nutritional status of lakes composite fish culture should be 27 introduced. The aquaculture will not only provide food fishes but also help reduce nutrient 28 load on the lakes. In the Upper Lake recreational fishery also can be encouraged. 29 30 5.13 Installation of Floating Fountains: 31 32 Six floating fountains in each lake have been proposed which will improve DO levels and 33 in turn help recycling of nutrients. 34 35 5.14 Monitoring of water quality: 36 37 Impact assessment study and regular monitoring of the water quality for its physical, 38 chemical, bacteriological, heavy metals and biological parameters is being done since 39 inception of the project (Reports of Environmental Research Laboratory (ERL). 40 41 5.15 Public Awareness: 42 43 Citizens of Bhopal are the main stake holders in conservation and management plan and 44 awareness programmes have played a key role in it. So far a number of Field visits, 45 workshops, competitions, Rallies, lectures, Public meetings, Audio-visual shows, 46 Training courses, Eco-camps and Street theatre performances have been carried out as a 47 part of awareness campaign. In addition to this open forum and seminars have been 48 conducted on issues of environmental concerns. Cinema theaters in Bhopal regularly 49 show slides on Save the lakes campaign. 50

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1 The impact of developmental activities could be assessed in two ways: 2 3 1. Visible impacts: The developments around periphery of the lake have improved 4 aesthetics and recreational value significantly. As people in large number are visiting 5 the lakes a class of stake holders is generated. This class could be very powerful in 6 future management and improvements of the water bodies. 7 8 2. The impact of remedial measures on the water quality to, particularly of Lower lake to 9 Class B depends on a number of factors like total rain fall and dilution effect, 10 restabilization of biodiversity and effective recycling of organic matter and complete 11 cessation of non-point sources of pollution (Table 3). The planned diversion of sewage 12 drains from settlements around the lake has reduced nutrient loading of Upper lake but 13 appears to have little impact on Lower lake that is receiving large volume of sewage 14 from inlets. Development of new slums and extension of existing ones is always a 15 possibility and due to socio-political repurcations of this issue, such situations are 16 difficult to tackle. 17 18

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1 Table 3. Water quality cirteria for uses of water. 2

NO Designated best use Class of water Criteria

I Drinking water source without A 1. Total Coliform MPN/100 mL shall be 50 or less conventional treatment but after 2. pH between 6.5 and 8.5 disinfection 3. DO : 6 mg/L or more 4. BOD 5 days 20 oC : 2 mg/L or less

II Out door bathing (Organized) B 1. 500 or less 2. 6.5 to 8.5 3. 5 mg/L or more 4. 3 mg/L or less

III Drinking water source with C 1. 5000 or less conventional treatment followed 2. 6.0 to 9.0 by disinfection 3. 4 mg/L or more 4. 3 mg/L or less

IV Propagation of wild life and D 1. - Fisheries 2. 6.5 and 8.5 3. 4.0 mg/L or more 4. - 5. Free Ammonia ( as N ) : 1.2 mg/L or less

V Irrigation , Industrial cooling, E 1. - Controlled waste disposal 2. 5.89 to 6.00 3. 4.0 mg/L or more 4. - 5. - 6. Sodium absorption ratio max. 26 7. Boron, Max. 2 mg/L 3 4 6. SUCCESSFUL ACTIONS : 5 6 1. Regular water Quality Assessment is being undertaken for accessing the impact of 7 conservation measures during pre, current and Post implementation stages. 8 2. Public Awareness Drive : Successful shifting of idol immersion venue from Upper 9 lake to designated site in Lower lake, is an example worth emulating for other 10 urban centers in India. Further, it is a shining example of community participation 11 in ecosystem management. 12 3. The impact of de-weeding and de-silting in the form of greater biodiversity and 13 increased water holding capacity would normally be visible after some time. 14

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1 7. MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENT: 2 3 7.1 Work already done : 4 5 Table 3. Aquatic Biodiversity of key flora and fauna in the Upper Lake..

Phytoplankton Macrobentbic species : Chlorophyceae (53) Protozoa (6) Bacillariophyceae (21) Diptera (9) Cyanophyceae (16) Odonata (2) Euglenophycea (5) Hemiptera (4) Dinophyceae (2) Coleoplera (4) Macrophytes Trichoptera (2) Free Floating (4) Marginal (8) Submerged (15) Oligochaeta (7) Emergent (10) Mollusca (6) Zooplankton Nematoda ( ) Rotifera (12) Flatworm (2) Cladocera (8) Plecoptera ( ) Calanoida (2) Copepoda (4) Ostracoda (4)

6 7 In the past a number of studies funded by State and Central agencies have been 8 conducted on lakes of Bhopal. However, except for occasional project oriented work 9 continuous monitoring data on linmology does not exist. Further, lack of uniform 10 procedures and methodologies adapted by researchers, correlating available data 11 becomes very difficult. Nevertheless, this data could be utilized as reference 12 information to compare present status of these lakes with the past. The studies 13 conducted in the past reveal that the lake water quality was deteriorating due to 14 several factors. Apart from water quality an impressive data on lake biodiversity is 15 available (Table 3). 16 17 In the long history of more than 1000 years the Upper lake has been the only source of 18 potable water for Bhopal city. Further, Bhopal region has no river and the role of 19 Upper Lake as the source of drinking water for ever growing urban area has assumed 20 added significance. The utility of lower lake, on the other hand, is confined to 21 secondary uses like aquaculture and recreation. 22 23 Work within Lake : The proposed action plan to improve the water quality includes 24 the following actions: 25 26 1. De-weeding of the lakes 27 2. De-silting/dredging shallower zones to remove deposited silt and toxic sediment 28 3. Aeration/ oxygenation/ozonisation of lake water to reduce nutrient level 29 4. Aquaculture to remove the accumulated nutrients and reverse the trend of 30 eutrophication

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1 5. Shifting of Idol Immersion sites to prevent siltation and pollution of water by 2 toxicants in the paints. 3 Works around the Lakes: 4 5 1. Sewage diversion to prevent its influx into the lakes, 6 2. Shifting of washing activities to prevent detergent pollution, 7 3. Lake View Drive and other beautification activities to increase esthetic beauty of the 8 water bodies, 9 4. Pathway (Walking ways) to enhance recreational value of lakes, 10 5. Construction of Bridge for easy trans-lake access thereby preventing any reclamation 11 of water body, 12 6. Improvement of Island as a socio-religious place, 13 14 7.2. Technology and scientific methodology : 15 16 Under the Bhoj Wetland Project many innovative experiments were conducted for 17 handling pollution issues; 18 19 1. The application of ozone in oxidizing metallic and nonmetallic ions and reduction in 20 organic and inorganic pollutants in the lake. 21 2. Introduction of fish species like grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) for control of 22 vegetation. 23 3. Economic use of aquatic biomass (weeds) for vermi-composting thus generating 24 wealth from waste. 25 4. Erosion control measures adopted under the project are worth replicating. 26 27 To summarise, the gains of present project need to be protected and propogated to benefit 28 similar lakes all over the country. 29 30 7.3 Involvement of stake holders: 31 32 The activities under taken in Bhoj Wetland project such as construction of High Level 33 bridge at Bhadbhada Spill Way, Path ways in the periphery of east southern bank of the 34 Upper Lake, pagodas, boundary walls and Rotaries seem out of the scope of lake 35 conservation plan. However, the area development and face lifting of lake environs and 36 improvement of aesthetics have created a new class of stakeholders. Further, Kamla park 37 dam should be strengthened to further improve recreational value of this area. 38 39 The physical developments, nevertheless, should be compatible with long term 40 management of lake ecosystem. The infra-structure facilities created for tourism or 41 otherwise should not affect the lake ecosystem. The recreation also brings in lot of other 42 problems like generation of solid waste that can adversely affect take and thus needs to be 43 carefully planned. 44 45 In India and South Asia Lake conservation and management is a new emerging discipline 46 and its further development and success greatly depends on expertise drawn from diverse 47 disciplines like engineering to aquatic biology. This science being highly 48 inter-disciplinary, an integrated approach in knowledge generation, experience sharing 49 and effective implementation is a prerequisite for any successful conservation programme. 50

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1 Success of any conservation programme depends on involvement of common man which, 2 in turn, depends on level of awareness people have about the project, its implementation 3 and possible outcomes. Under Bhoj Wetland Project some actions have already been 4 initiated. The very fact that the site of idol immersion is successfully shifted from Upper 5 Lake to Lower Lake speaks volumes about outreach and success of the project. 6 7 7.4 Investment: Capacity building: 8 9 The training imparted to the project staff in ILEC, Japan has improved their skill and 10 knowledge about issues of lake conservation. The work being conducted and operational 11 system of the Project reflects the work culture. Further, improvement and up-gradation 12 could be done through more interactions with expertise of National and International 13 repute. Training to the field staff and middle level functionaries needs to be organized for 14 further improvement. 15 16 7.5 Future frame work for action : 17 18 As post project follow up following actions are suggested for strengthening the gains of 19 Bhoj Wetland Project. 20 21 1. The water quality assessment needs to be continued for another five years on 22 completion of the project. Moreover the lake modeling should be undertaken to 23 implement remedial measures in the event of any adverse impact on the lake 24 ecosystems. 25 2. The maintenance of the assets and work done under the project need special attention, 26 so there is a need of separate lake conservation agency/ authority for taking care of 27 generated infra-structure. 28 3. The environmental analytical facility created under the Bhoj Wetland Project could be 29 strengthen so that it will serve as nodal agency in future water quality monitoring 30 programmes for whole state of Madhya Pradesh. Generally, on conclusion of any 31 major project the facilities are not put to further use and are lost in due course. 32 33 8. LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDED INITIATIVES: 34 35 8.1 Specific lesions: 36 37 8.1.1 An integrated approach - a key to success : 38 39 Lake Management is very complex issue involving different disciplines and 40 multidimensional activities and an integrative approach. Unfortunately the mind set of 41 experts available for such work is quite different; technocrats consider lake as a physical 42 entity and apply stereotypic technology based solutions, while scientists consider lakes as 43 'living systems' requiring specific solutions based on prevailing biological and 44 physicochemical circumstances. This difference in perception some times lead to 45 conflicting situation in project implementation. The best solution to this problem lies in 46 imparting a common core training to all the project staff that will cover diverse areas and 47 interdisciplinary topics. 48 49 Training to the staff should be arranged in the beginning rather that in between 50 implementation. Selection of staff should be as per requirement of the work and their

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1 qualifications, experience and expertise should be laid down in project proposal itself. The 2 processing of a project should be simple and easy as to avoid delays. Post Project 3 maintenance of the infra-structure for certain period should be a part of the project 4 proposal with necessary fund allocation. 5 6 8.1.2 Protection of catchment is key to management of lakes : 7 8 Sustainable management of a lakes and reservoirs is directly linked to protection of its 9 catchment. In other words, a lake is reflection of its catchment. Thus a number of 10 measures need to be taken to protect the catchment like : 11 12 1. It should be declared as protected area prohibiting any developmental activity 13 affecting its green cover and landscape. The developmental activities with reference to 14 human 15 settlements in the catchment need to be eco-friendly. This will prevent major problem 16 of siltation of lakes, 17 2. Natural in-lets of a lake need protection so that rain water from the catchment reaches 18 the lake, 19 3. Agriculture/aquaculture and other water consuming activities in the catchment need 20 regulation. The classical example of last measure is lake Osmansagar in Hyderabad, 21 , India. This reservoir is not receiving adequate in-flows as in the past 22 and reaching its Full Tank Level (FTL) in recent years. One of the major reasons for 23 this is withdrawal of water in the catchment by constructing check dams and utilizing 24 the same for water intensive crops. 25 26 8.1.3 Lake/Reservoir level measures : 27 28 1 . Shore zones of takes and reservoirs are always prone to encroachments and need 29 protection as a major management action. Thus a Lake Shore Regulatory Zone 30 (LSRZ) on the line of Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) in the case of sea coast line, 31 need to be established. The size of LSRZ for different water bodies in urban and rural 32 areas can be based on topography, population pressure and other local factors. The 33 zone should serve as green belt to control air pollution and prevent lake-ward 34 encroachment. 35 36 2. No industrial activity should be allowed near a lake or in its catchment. A Supreme 37 Court judgment in the case of a lake in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, serves as 38 an example in this regard. Despite of total ban on any industrial activity around a 39 drinking water reservoir efforts were made to establish an oil industry on the shore of 40 Osmansagar, the drinking water reservoir for the mega-city of Hyderabad, Andhra 41 Pradesh, India. Fortunately, by this judgment Hon. Supreme Court prevented the 42 establishment of the industry and saved the lake from possible environmental disaster. 43 44 3. Administrative measures : ' 45 46 A. Demarcation of lake boundaries after proper survey and development of green belt 47 along Full Reservoir Level (FRL). 48 B. Regulation of developments in the catchments to prevent destruction/modification of 49 natural in-lets

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1 C. As a part of betterment laying of sewer lines should be made a pre-condition for 2 sanctioning of layouts in the catchments of water bodies 3 D. Regular de-silting of idol immersion sites in the lake 4 E. Prevention of solid waste and garbage dumping in the lake through proper watch and 5 ward system 6 F. Development of lake environ as a recreational zone by developing gardens, parks and 7 introduction of water sports 8 G. Regular de-weeding and upkeep of lake 9 E. Declaration of takes as protected areas and establishment of a lake protection cell to 10 coordinate activities of various agencies involved in the protection of the water body 11 G. Establishment of educational centers for creating awareness about importance of eco- 12 heritage 13 14 4. Bio-manipulation to improve, the water quality and aesthetics 15 16 A. Removal of nutrients : 17 18 Nutrients i.e. Nitrates and Phosphates can be reduced through controlled cultivation and 19 harvesting of plant biomass. Macrophytes like water hyacinth not only reduce nutrients 20 but also remove pollutants like heavy metals and pesticides and act as de-polluters 21 (Muromota and Oki 1983). Flotilla of such weeds or their cage culture can be developed. 22 Periodical harvesting of weed biomass will automatically remove excess of nutrients and 23 improve the water quality. Similar manner algal biomass also can be removed to rid water 24 body of excessive nutrients. 25 26 B. Bio-manipulation of trophic levels: 27 28 It is considered as one of the effective tools in the lake management. Introduction of 29 composite fish culture to harvest biomass in surface, column and bottom feeding niches 30 through introduction of select fish species can effectively reduce nutrient levels. Thus, ' 31 bottom up' or 'top down' approach directed through introduction of surface , column and 32 bottom feeders will generate income and reduce nutrient levels resulting into 33 improvement of water quality. Such an integral approach is found to be most effective in 34 relative shallower water bodies like the Lower Lake. 35 36 C. Prevention of pollution from domestic sewage 37 38 Action needs to be initiated at town planning level. Proper sewage treatment and disposal 39 should be pre-requisite and an integral aspect of betterment before any housing plan is 40 sanctioned. The town planning departments need to take extra care while allowing 41 catchment areas of water bodies for human habitation. Sewage should be treated as a 42 resource and recycled and managed through proper technologies. There is a need of 43 investment on research & Development of such technologies because sewage is one issue 44 tackling of which can lead to considerable improvement in the health and hygiene and 45 reduction in the financial burden on health security particularly in developing countries all 46 over the world. 47 48 49 50 D. Desiltation :

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1 2 Siltation is posing a great threat to lakes and reservoirs all over the world. Its main reason 3 is catchment deforestation. Special efforts need to be initiated to increase green cover and 4 protection of catchment. In the case of urban lakes socio-cultural aspects like immersion 5 of idols has assumed a grave proportion. Apart from siltation, organic matter through 6 floral offerings and toxicants like heavy metals used in painting of idols is causing large 7 scale pollution of water. A number of actions like using easily dissolving clay instead of 8 plaster of paris and eco-friendly paints in place of synthetic colours can be used in making 9 and painting of massive idols. Such an action needs involvement of all communities and 10 an integrating approach. The sites of idol immersion should be de-silted every year to 11 maintain proper depth of water. Proper cess can be collected for this purpose as per the 12 principle of - Polluter should pay for de-pollution (Tekale, 2003). 13 14 E. Construction of a boundary wall after proper survey to prevent further encroachment 15 16 F. Proper location of washing activities by constructing dhobi ghats to prevent water 17 pollution 18 19 8.2. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT: 20 21 A. Upper lake: 22 23 Being a drinking water source this lake needs better management. From the present state 24 of its environment, following actions need to be initiated: 25 26 1. The massive Trapa cultivation along shore of the lake should be prevented. The weed 27 is accelerating eutrophication and sedimentation of this section of the lake. An 28 alternate site can be provided to the farmers for this purpose, 29 30 2. Stopping further expansion of urbanization along the shore of the lake through 31 creation of Lake Protection Zone in the upper reaches of the lake, 32 33 3. Post-project management plan : The work done under Bhoj Wetland project needs to 34 be further strengthen in the interest of long term management of the lake ecosystems. 35 For this purpose a post-project management plan needs to be grounded before 36 conclusion of the project. Some of the components of such a plan could be: 37 38 (a) Regular monitoring of water quality, flora and fauna of the lake, 39 40 (b) Watch and ward in the form of guards who will prevent dumping garbage/solid 41 waste in to the lake and help maintain the environment clean. 42 43 B. Lower lake: 44 45 Lower lake is an eutrophicated water body. The remedial measures initiated by Bhoj 46 Wetland Project are yielding some results and it is matter of time before the water 47 quality suitable for bathing in the lake is achieved (Table 2). 48 49 Following are some of the suggested measures 50

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1 2. Regular cleaning of lake to get rid of floating solid waste, 2 3. Shifting of dhobighats 3 4. Desilting of immersion sites after conclusion of festivities 4 5. Diversion of sewage to STP and its treatment 5 6. Creation of wetland to biologically treat the organic waste wherever possible and 6 7. Protection of shore line of the lake. 7 8 8.3. General capacity building: 9 10 1. An integrated approach in sharing the experiences : Lake management needs an 11 integrated approach involving professionals from diverse disciplines like science & 12 technology, ecology, biology, limnology, geology, geochemistry, sociology, 13 economics and information technology and sharing of information becomes a key 14 factor in capacity building. Sectoral and blinkered approach often leads to conflicts 15 defeating the goal of a lake management project. Thus, inter-disciplinary and cross 16 sectoral dialogue is must for creation of team spirit. A common platform for sharing 17 experiences and learning becomes a must for building a team spirit. 18 2. Involvement of stake holders including lake dependent communities and common 19 people should form an integral part of any management programme. Their interest in 20 lake needs to be sustained through awareness campaigns and other eco-friendly 21 activities. 22 23 3. A permanent museum highlighting past and present experiences of lake management 24 needs to be established. Such a museum will not only be a common meeting point for 25 stakeholders but also an attraction for tourists. 26 27 8.4. Dissemination of information and data to the stakeholders : Establishment of Lake 28 Resource Cenre ( LRC) : 29 30 Enormous volumes of data useful for management of lake ecosystems is generated by 31 organizations / Institutions in public and private sector. Similarly, universities and 32 research laboratories are doing lot of research work on diverse topics. All this 33 information can be collected, collated and distributed through different media like 34 Printing, Internet, TV and other audio-visual means. Apart from this the LRC can 35 also be a platform for stakeholders to discuss the plans and programmes, facilitate 36 formation of lake conservation committees (LCC) and organization of campaigns 37 and socio-cultural activities. 38 39 REFERENCES : 40 41 Bajpai, A., S.Pani, R.K.Jain and S.M.Misra (2002) Heavy metal contamination through 42 idol immersion in a tropical alke. Eco. Env. & Cons. 8 (2): 157 - 159. 43 44 Chandrasekhar, SN.A. (1996) Ecological studies on lake, Hyderabad. Ph.D. 45 Thesis. , Hyderabad. 46 47 Edmondson, W.T. (1991 ) The uses of Ecology, Lake Washington and beyond. University 48 of Washinglon Press. 49

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1 Enviornmental Research Project (2000) Bi-annual report on Water Quality Monitoring of 2 Upper and Lower Lakes, Bhopal – Years 1999 & 2000-Vol-I. 3 4 Enviornmental Research Project (2000) Bi-annual report on Water Quality Monitoring of 5 Upper and Lower Lakes, Bhopal – Years 1999 & 2000-Vol-II. 6 7 Enviornmental Research Project (2000) Bi-annual report on Water Quality Monitoring of 8 Upper and Lower Lakes, Bhopal – Years 1999 & 2000-Vol-III. 9 10 IS (1984) Standards for effluent discharge. 11 12 Kodarkar, M.S. (1995) Conservation of lakes, With special reference to five water bodies 13 in and around Hyderabad. Publ.3. Indian Association of Aquatic Biologists (1AAB). 14 Hyderabad. PP : 1-63. 15 16 Muromoto, S. And Y.Oki (1983) Removal of some heavy metals from polluted water by 17 water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes). Bull.Environ. Contain. Toxicol. 30: 170 - 177. 18 19 Pani, S. and S.M.Misra (2003) Impact of artificial aeration/Ozonization on algal 20 community structure of a tropical eutrophic lake. Eco. Env. & Cons. Vol. 9 (1) : 31 - 21 34. 22 23 Postel, Sandra (1984) Water; Rethinking management in an age of scarcity. World Watch 24 Paper - 62. PP : 1-65. 25 26 Singh, R.K. and H. Anandh (1996) Water quality index of some Indian rivers. IndianJ 27 Environ.H1th.,Vol. 38 (l & 2): 21-34. 28 29 Subrata Pani and S.M.Misra (1993) Impact of hydraulic detention on the water quality 30 characteristics of a tropical wetland (Lower lake). Environmental pollution and its 31 management. Ed. Pankaj Srivastava. PP : 18-28. 32 33 Tekale, N.S. (2003) Idol immersion - A critical analysis of environmental impact on urban 34 lakes and remedial measures. Souvenir/Abstracts. PP : 61-63. UGC sponsored 35 National Conference on Urban lakes - Enviornmental status economics and 36 management options, Hyderabad, India. 37 38 World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) (1990) Our Common 39 Future. Oxford University Press. Oxford, New York. 40 41 Zafar, A.R. (1959) Taxonomy of lakes. Hydrobiologia. 13 (3): 187 - 299. 42 43 Internet resources on Bhoj Wetland Project and related topics : 44 45 www.ilec.or.jp/lakewatch/Bhopal 46 www.epcobpl.org/bwl.html 47 www.ilec.or.jp 48 www.worldlakes.org 49 www.fba.org.uk 50 www.iaab.org

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1 www.unep.or.jp 2 www.gwpforum.org 3 www.aral.zu/ 4

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