Human apathy pushes Pune’s Pashan Lake to die a slow death

Anudeep Attar (name changed upon request), a local fisherman from Bavdhan, used to fish daily in the lake. But nowadays, the only fish he catches are Chilapai and Mangur, which indicates low dissolved oxygen levels.   “There is a thick layer of sludge around 1-2 meters deep beneath the surface of the water, which is covered by water hyacinth,” says Attar (name changed), adding that dead fish floating along the banks are a common sight.

Over the past two decades, unplanned development and the establishment of industries and residential colonies near Pashan Lake have severely affected the species-rich ecotone of the Ramnadi and the lake, according to Vaishali Patkar, Director of the Climate Collective Pune Environmental Foundation.

The lake’s near-dead state today, is in stark contrast to the once thriving ecosystem of the lake. In 2017, the Ecological Society identified bird species such as waterhen, jacana, coot, heron, and lapwing as inhabitants.

Many earlier species of birds or the migratory species like the bar-headed geese visit Pashan Lake any longer. Instead invasive  aquatic plants such as Pistia and water hyacinth now grow in abundance in the lake. Virendra Chitrav, director of the Ramnadi Mission, said the lake has become a dumping ground of waste from nearby areas.

In 2022, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) established a 16-member Pashan Lake Development and Restoration Committee to address the restoration of Pashan Lake. Despite weeks of site surveys and holding discussions, the committee has not taken any follow-up action, says Patkar, a committee member. “Currently, the committee is dysfunctional,” she adds.

The 15th Finance Commission recommended establishing a 1-million-litre-per-day (MLD) STP upstream of Pashan Lake, but the project is yet to be completed. “It is expected to start functioning by the end of March, as 90% of the work is complete,” says Santosh Chandade, Superintendent Engineer of the PMC Drainage Department. “The major issue is the mixing of drainage and sewage water, but once the STP is operational, this problem will be resolved,” he adds.

Patkar suggests implementing ‘nature-based solutions’ to clean Pashan Lake. “Water purification grass like Vetiver grass should be planted at points where untreated sewage enters the lake, allowing contaminants to be filtered out before reaching the water body. A decentralised approach involving gram panchayats, residents, schools, and NGOs in decision-making, along with clearly defined responsibilities and accountability, will go a long way in restoring the lake,” Patkar added.

Abhijit Sherekar is an intern with The Indian Express