Shallow lakes in urban area: ecological

restoration of lakes in thane city

ABSTRACT

Thane city historically for the existence of the several shallow lakes

Thane municipal corporation(TMC) has taken tremendous effort to revive the natural resources

INTRODUCTION

The location of thane city and its infrastructural facilities have made it most advanced district.

2000mm rainfall

River n manmade water bodies

Due to urbanization, development has slowly convert these water bodies into mere water tanks

THANE CITY

Geographical location

City of lakes

35 lakes covering an estimated area of 6,70,000 sq.ft

Lakes suffer gross neglect

Carrying capacity decline

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Emerging concept of public participation and partnership in the effort towards conservation and restoration of lakes in Thane

Details of initiative

In 1998 TMC undertook the cleaning bioremediation of Kacharali Lake.

Bioremediation lies in restoration of ecological balance between microphytes, macrophytes, algae and micro organisms

Function of bioproduct

Biodegradation of organic waste

Eliminate scum and algae

Eliminate fuel odour

Improve water quality

Partnership of educational institute, technology provider, NGOs.

Bioremediation of 10 more lakes

GANPATI FESTIVAL

Major pollution cause

17 lakes and 8 creek

Idols contain gypsum, calcium, sulphur, phosphorus and magnesium

Color contain toxic compounds

TMC made artificial pond near lakes

Preparation of development management plane

Resotre these lakes w.r.t their catchment and watershed

GIS made for analysis and information envisioning

Beautification of the lake surrounding

Mobilization of funds on the part of corporation by taking the approval from general body of corporation

Corporation initiated partnership with private sector

Public and educational

material used for public awareness

programs

Advertisement in news paper, TV/radio, stickers having slogans for lake conservation

Capacity building

Improvement of ,managerial, administrative and technical capability of staff

Legal procedures

Policy initiative undertaken

Improvement brought about by initiative of

partnership Environment awareness in the society

Dissemination of latest technological trends in local educational institutions

Socio-cultural benefits

Limitation of the program and need for further strengthening

Phase 1: ecological restoration of lakes

Phase 2: beautification of lakes

Phase 3: provision of lake amenities

CONCLUSION

Local partnership

There must be incentives for participation and a stable set of rules of the program