Catchment area may help save Sukhna

A study conducted recently suggests that mechanism needs to be found to allow this water to enter the Lake. The study conducted by Society for Promotion and Conservation of Environment (SPACE) has been submitted to the Department of Forest and Wildlife.

The study recommends that the water in the water bodies could help solve the problem of the Sukhna Lake. However,a mechanism needs to be found through which the water can be released in a regulated manner. In case of normal rainfall,around 60 hectare metre (hams) water could be released to the Sukhna Lake from the water bodies. While during low rainfall,the quantity would be around 40 hams.

The study also reveals that the catchment has a large trough area or low lying area. The spill-over,leakages,seepage from the water bodies located on higher elevations in drainage lines,enters this basin area and keeps on reaching the Trough Area. This has an impervious layer at the shallow depth.

Dr S S Grewal,the Chairman of SPACE says,“The wildlife sanctuary has enough water that could help save the Lake from completely drying up. The mechanism for the same needs to be worked out. The water released from the water bodies and the trough area could raise the water level of the lake by around three feet.”

The silt retention dams were built in the catchment area in order to prevent silt from entering the Sukhna Lake which was a major area of concern ever since the lake was created. While the dams facilitated in controlling the silt,these also led to reduction in the flow of water to the lake.

At present the lake is in one of its driest states. While the Administration is carrying on desilting work at the lake,no measures have been taken for ensuring adequate water supply to the lake.

Dr G S Dhillon,former chief engineer of Punjab,says that the while the release of water from the water bodies would be complicated,it could be done through channels having high efficiency from consideration of seepage loss. He added that efficient water-shed management practices are required in order to save the lake.

Similar views were echoed by Arjan Singh who is a member of the Save Sukhna Forum. He says that less than average rainfall had led to the current alarming situation the lake was in.

There is a need for ensuring water supply to the lake; otherwise it might completely dry up.

Dead fish floating on lake

The present condition of the lake is having an adverse impact on its aquatic life. Dead fish can be seen floating on the water. The excessive weeds and reducing water levels are leading to death of the fish. The fisheries department had been asked for help to find solutions to the problem. It was suggested that the fish that are fit for breeding be shifted to the areas where water is a little deeper.