Home / Environment / Eco-Dredging Plan for Kolkata's Sarobar Lake
Eco-Dredging Plan for Kolkata's Sarobar Lake
29 Oct
Summary
- KMDA seeks university aid for eco-friendly dredging.
- Mechanical dredging will target sedimented lake portions.
- Lake's depth has decreased; shallow areas increased.
Kolkata's Rabindra Sarobar Lake is slated for mechanical dredging in select areas, following a directive from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), responsible for the lake's upkeep, is seeking technical expertise from Jadavpur University to ensure the dredging process is eco-friendly and preserves the lake's rich biodiversity.
The pilot project will focus on portions of the lake suffering from heavy sedimentation. KMDA officials confirmed that specific segments will be identified for this initial phase. The NGT has also mandated measures to control aquatic weeds and hyacinth, particularly in the public pool and Padmapukur areas. Manual de-siltation along the lake's periphery and year-long cleaning of floating debris are also required.
Recent studies, including a bathymetric survey conducted by Jadavpur University's School of Water Resources Engineering, highlight the pressing need for these interventions. The survey indicated that the lake's mean depth has reduced from 3.6 meters to 3 meters over the past two decades. Consequently, shallow zones, less than 2 meters deep, have expanded from 18% to 28% of the total area, most noticeably in the northern parts and inlet zones.
