What are the socio-ecological implications of disappearing lakes in India?

But what are the underlying causes behind the disappearance of lakes? What kind of questions does it raise about the state’s role to protect the natural resources of the country under the Public Trust Doctrine (PTD)? First, let’s examine the significance of lakes.  

Ecological and socio-economic significance of lakes 

According to the International Glossary of Hydrology, a lake is an “inland body of water of considerable size”. They can be either natural or man-made. Although lakes are usually seen as merely scenic elements in a landscape, they hold immense ecological and socio-economic significance.  

From regulating floods, providing habitat for aquatic species, birds and plants, and supporting livelihood, lakes perform various critical functions. 

Groundwater recharge: One of the key functions of lakes is groundwater recharge. They act as reservoirs that support long-term water security, especially in regions dependent on groundwater for drinking and irrigation. Lakes provide 90 per cent of the world’s surface fresh water.

Flood regulation: Lakes also help in flood regulation. During heavy rainfall, these water bodies function as natural buffers by absorbing and holding excess rainwater and runoff, thereby reducing surface water that can contribute to flooding. 

Biodiversity hotspots: Lakes, including wetlands, are critical biodiversity hotspots. They provide habitat for aquatic species, birds and plants. In addition to native biodiversity, they also provide appropriate ecological conditions for migratory species. For example, Chilika Lake in Odisha, the largest brackish water lagoon in the world, is a crucial habitat for migratory birds, especially during the winter season. 

Chilika Lake, Odisha, (Source: Unsplash)

Socio-economic significance: Lakes also hold substantial socio-economic value. They support livelihoods through fisheries, agriculture, and related activities. They also provide water for domestic use, and contribute to local economies through tourism and recreation. 

Cultural significance: In India, some lakes also have cultural significance. Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan and Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir are the prominent examples of this. 

Therefore, the degradation of lakes affects not only ecological balance but also economic stability and community well-being. 

Major factors affecting lakes

Various overlapping factors are responsible for the disappearance and depletion of lakes. Foremost among these is pollution. Due to inadequate waste management and land scarcity, especially in urban areas, lakes have increasingly become dumping grounds for waste and sewage. Bellandur Lake of Bengaluru is one such lake that has become highly toxic due to pollution. 

The inflow of waste, sewage, and agricultural runoff containing fertilizers leads to eutrophication – the excessive enrichment of water with nutrients. This results in rampant algal bloom and oxygen depletion, making it impossible for aquatic life to survive. Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad, as well as Dal lake, are suffering from severe eutrophication.

Illegal encroachment and land-use change are also the major reasons behind the dramatic loss of lakes, especially in urban and peri-urban areas. The CAG report also highlighted this reason. Sprawling cities and rising land values have led to lakes and wetlands being viewed as real estate rather than ecological assets. As a result, encroachment has intensified.

In addition to this, illegal mining of sand and gravel from lakebeds contributes to their degradation. Balsamand Lake in Rajasthan and Surajkund Lake in Haryana are affected by such activities. Unregulated tourism further exacerbates the problem by increasing pollution and waste generation.

Some cultural and religious practices, such as idol immersion, also degrade water quality and intensify ecological stress on these water bodies. These overlapping pressures draw attention to legal and institutional framework for lake conservation.

Constitutional and legal status of water bodies

Water is a state subject under the Indian Constitution. Therefore, states are primarily responsible for regulating and managing water bodies. At the state level, Karnataka was one of the first states that enacted a law for lake conservation in 2015, but it repealed the act in 2018.  

But there is no specific central legislation for lake conservation, except the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017, enacted under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. These rules provide a regulatory framework for protecting wetlands, emphasising the “wise use” of these ecosystems. They established wetland authorities in each state and the National Wetland Committee with an advisory and supervisory role.

However, these rules are applicable only to wetlands designated as Ramsar sites or specifically notified for protection by the state or central government. Also, the rules exclude the wetlands falling under forest areas and protected areas such as National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries, which need to be managed and regulated by the respective departments. This institutional framework often leads to diffused accountability and administrative inefficiencies, a concern also highlighted in the CAG report.  

Policy framework for lake conservation

At the policy level, the government launched the National Lake Conservation Programme (NCLP) in 2001. The programme largely focuses on restoring water quality and ecology of lakes, and developing policies for their protection. 

In 2013, the NCLP was merged with the National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) of 1985 to form a new integrated scheme of the National Programme for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-system (NPCA). As a centrally sponsored scheme, NPCA seeks to promote the conservation and management of lakes and wetlands.

However, the scheme is applicable only to those water bodies that fulfil certain criteria and are nominated by the state governments/UT governments. Moreover, the implementation is often constrained by funding and monitoring issues. 

Strengthening lake governance  

The PTD designates the state as the trustee of natural resources on behalf of present and future generations. But continued degradation of lakes points to fragmented institutional frameworks and issues around the enforcement of regulations. 

In the case of Swachh Association vs State of Maharashtra (2025), the Supreme Court clarified that PTD is not only confined to natural water bodies but also extends to artificially created lakes and reservoirs serving ecological functions. This interpretation broadens the scope of state responsibility to protect all waterbodies.

Therefore, developing a dedicated national legal framework that lays down uniform standards for the protection of all lakes, including the creation of a statutory nodal authority to implement the standards, would help reduce fragmentation of responsibilities and improve coordination. Any such effort needs to be supported by scientific mapping and regular monitoring, which would further help in addressing issues like encroachment and land-use changes.

Further, more effective implementation of pollution control laws, along with the regulation of activities like sewage discharge, is crucial. Strengthening community participation can also help in efficient monitoring.

Post read questions

What are the major factors behind the disappearance of lakes in India? Discuss with examples.

Why are wetlands and lakes disappearing in India? Discuss the consequences for ecological balance.

Explain the process of eutrophication and assess its impact on lake ecosystems.

Discuss the role of institutions and policies in environmental conservation. Why do implementation gaps persist?

(Renuka is a Doctoral researcher at Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla.)

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