Buried under a thick carpet of silt and marsh,Neela Hauz,considered one of the largest water bodies in South Delhi,is going to get a fresh lease of life. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has decided to restore Neela Hauz to its original shape,replete with a biodiversity park around it. At present,it looks more like a marshland. The pond and the surrounding land,which belonged to the PWD,has been handed over to the DDA. DDA officials said the restoration project will start in October. We have already removed the debris from the site. The project plan has been approved and tenders have been floated, DDA spokesperson Neemo Dhar said. A drain carrying untreated water from nearby colonies flows into the pond, which is filled almost to the brim with silt. This needs to be cleared immediately, a DDA official said. The water body was originally spread over 3.9 hectares. It is less than one hectare today. Neela Hauz will be eventually merged with Sanjay Van, he said. The consolidated plan was to integrate Neela Hauz,the area surrounding it,Sanjay Van and parts of Jawaharlal Nehru University campus as a biodiversity zone. But the project would be completed in phases,officials said. It will take six to eight months to restore Neela Hauz. Walking trails will be developed around the lake. The DDA will implement the plan with Aravali Biodiversity Park as its consultants, an official said. He said indigenous plants of the Ridge area,such as phoenix palm trees,anogeissus,acacia and different species of fruit-bearing trees,would be planted around the pond. The area will get back its green cover. A railing and grass such as chrysopogon and heteropogon will protect and stop erosion of the slopes, the official said. Floating plants and tall aquatic trees like phargmytic and cat-tail will be planted to attract migratory birds. Native fish will be introduced to prevent algae. Earlier,the Delhi High Court has directed the agencies concerned that the water body should be restored by May-end 2011. The court had also ruled that pollution in Neela Hauz should be stopped immediately.
