By Shreyanka Nandan
Pune’s Pashan Lake is on the verge of death because of unchecked pollution and negligence. An immense growth of aquatic plants like Pistia and water hyacinth causing harm for the aquatic animals. Since last two decades, unplanned development, industrial growth and building up of residential colonies near the Pashan Lake have severely affected the ecotone rich species of the Ramnadi and the lake, according to the Director of the Climate Collective Pune Environmental Foundation, Vaishali Patkar.
The local fishermen from Bavdhan said that recently, only Chilapia and Mangur fishes are only found in this lake which severely indicates the presence of low dissolved oxygen in water. They also added that floating dead fish along its bank is a common sight.
Pashan Lake was not only a place for aquatic animals, in winter it was also the place for the bird watchers. According to the Ecological Society in 2017, they had identified the migrator species like the bar-headed geese, waterhen, jacana, coot, heron, lapwing, etc. who were the center of attraction in winter at that time, are no longer seen. The director of Ramnadi Mission,Virendra Chitrav, said that the lake has become a dumping ground of waste from nearby areas.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in 2022 took an initiative and formed Pashan Lake Development and Restoration Committee along with 16 members. The committee had done only week long surveys and discussions but execution of it was never seen, as said by Patkar, a committee member. She has also added that “Currently the committee is dysfunctional,”.
According to the 15th Finance Commission, it was established that 1-million-litre-per-day (MLD) STP upstream of Pashan Lake, but the project is yet to complete. “It is expected to start functioning by the end of March, as 90% of the work is complete,” said Santosh Chandade, Superintendent Engineer of the PMC Drainage Department. “The major issue is the mixing of drainage and sewage water, but once the STP is operational, this problem will be resolved,” he added.
Vaishali Patkar imposed her opinion that to clean Pashan Lake ‘nature based solutions’ will be used. She suggested that Vetiver grass should be planted in areas where untreated sewage water enters the lake. It will further allow the contaminants to filter before mixing with the water body. Thus, to approach this proposal she thought of reaching gram panchayats, residents, schools and NGOs for final decision making along with distribution of responsibilities and accountability.