People Loosen Purse-Strings To Save A Dying Lake In Jamnagar

Lake Lakhota wears a deserted look for the first time in 13 years. The lake located in the centre of the city of Jamnagar has dried up completely following scanty rainfall last year.

Nearly two centuries old, the lake is an indirect source of water to a third of the city's population. Besides, it is also a haven for 5,000 migratory birds, ranging from Pelicans to Siberian cranes.

"Barely six months ago, people of the city used to come here for evening stroll, watch artistes perform or simply sit back and relax, not to mention that it provided water to scores of houses," says a local.

 

Now all one sees is a vast (5.60 lakh cubic metre) expanse of ground. However, as the saying goes, all is not lost.

In a rare show of unity, citizens, right from the panwallas to the local MLA, have joined hands to save the dying lake under the aegis of the Lakhota Jal Abhiyan Samiti started by religious trusts and spearheaded by a local doctor, H G Tanna.

The samiti has started work on desilting the lake. The operation involves getting excavators to remove layers of silt accumulated on the lake bed and deepen it to hold a large quantity of water following the next rainfall.

The project cost, estimated at Rs 4.5 crore, is likely to be completed at half the cost, says Tanna.

Work at the lake is overseen by a committee of 25 people from different walks of life.

Corporates like Digjam, Reliance and local businessmen have contributed in cash or have donated heavy equipment for the project. The MLA and the local MP have contributed Rs 20 lakh from their kitty.

While local newspapers and cable networks have chipped in by publicising names of donors like panwallas and autorickshaw drivers having contributed their daily wages. "We do not believe in complaining about government's inaction. We want to be proactive," says Tanna.

Seeing the merit in the project, the government has also contributed Rs 9 lakh for the project. Significantly, there may not be any immediate gains from this as it all depends on subsequent rainfall.

"The first few rainfalls may be absorbed by the soil, but after that the lake should hold water for at least three years at a stretch. Desilting will not be required for several years," Tanna maintains.

The citizens of Jamnagar get water once in three days for an hour. This means a new lease of life for posterity, if not for themselves.

In the next project, the samiti plans to build four check dams in the city. Here, too, the government, as a special case, will pitch in with 60 per cent of the estimated cost. But once again, for the balance of 40 per cent, the citizens will have to do their best to show that water is a great leveller.