Sakkardara Lake in worst shape among city water bodies, reveals NGO's survey

Nagpur: Of all the lakes in the city, Sakkardara is in the worst condition with very low water level. Also, in the last 11 months, condition of Futala, Gandhisagar and Sonegaon lake has improved due to self purification system.

This came to the fore during a pre-immersion water monitoring programme conducted by city-based environmental NGO Green Vigil Foundation in collaboration with EarthEcho International, an international organization based in Washington, DC.

During the survey, the lakes were tested for different parameters including dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH value and temperature. The aim of the water-testing programme is to monitor condition of lakes and analyze impact of immersion of Ganpati idols on the water quality.

On Monday, Surbhi Jaiswal, team lead at Green Vigil Foundation, found Sakkardara Lake to be in the worst condition, compared to other three lakes. “The water level of the lake is low and a major part is covered by water hyacinth, which has resulted in low dissolved oxygen level in Sakkardara Lake,” she said.

From 4 milligrams per litre (mg/l) last year, the lake’s dissolved oxygen level pre-immersion has come down to 3 mg/l this year. Dissolved oxygen refers to the microscopic bubbles of gaseous oxygen mixed in water and is an important indicator of the lake’s quality. “The idol immersion in this lake will lead to further dip in dissolved oxygen and disrupt the lake’s ecosystem,” said Jaiswal.

The analysis further revealed the condition of Futala Lake deteriorated after immersions last year. At present, dissolved oxygen levels of Futala, Gandhisagar and Sonegaon lakes is around 4.5 mg/l, which ideally should be around 6 mg/l. “ In the last 11 months, condition of Futala, Gandhisagar, and Sonegaon lakes has improved due to lake’s own self purification system,” activists said.

Turbidity, which is the presence of suspended solids in a water body, has increased in Sakkardara Lake. From 70-75 JTU Jackson Turbidity Unit (JTU) last year, it has now gone up to 80 JTU. Turbidity of Futala, Gandhisagar and Sonegaon lake is 50-60 JTU, 70-75 JTU and 55-60 JTU respectively. “Installation of aeration systems is must to improve the water quality of lakes,” added Jaiswal.

Raising concerns over drying-up of Sonegaon and Sakkardara lakes every summer, deputy team lead at the NGO Mehul Kosurkar said, “Desilting activity should be done as soon as the lakes dry up in order to increase their water holding capacity.”

Members of the NGO have urged citizens to immerse their idols into artificial tanks to conserve the lakes.

2020 Pre visarjan:

Lake-----------------------pH-------------Turbidity----------------------Dissolved Oxygen

Futala-------------------7.8-8-----------50-60--------------------------------4.5

Gandhisagar—---------7.8-8--------------70-75-------------------------------4.5

Sonegaon--------------8-8.2------------55-60----------------------------------4.5

Sakkardara------------7-7.2--------------80--------------------------------------3

2019 Pre visarjan:

Location---------------------pH----------------Turbidity----------------------Dissolved Oxygen

Futala------------------7.8-8---------------55-60---------------------------4-4.5

Gandhisagar-----------7.5-7.8----------75-80----------------------------4-4.5

Sonegaon-------------8.2-8.5------------60-65---------------------------4-4.5

Sakkardara-----------7.5-8------------70-75-----------------------------3.5-4

Note: Turbidity is measured in Jackson Turbidity Unit (JTU)

Dissolved oxygen is measured in milligrams per litre (mg/l)