Uncertainty dogs revival plan for Sultanpur lake

GURGAON: Alarmed at the diminishing number of birds that visit Sultanpur Lake, the forest department has suggested an ambitious plan to the district administration to turn the situation around. Over the years, the number of migratory birds coming to this lake has gone down considerably. The district administration is now planning to hire an expert to find out ways to revive the ancient channels which used to reachrage this lake with rainwater from the Aravalis.
While the plan looks good on paper, the biggest challenges in its implementation are encroachments which have covered the water channels at various places and the lack of funds.
"The initial plan is to find out if the natural flow of water from Kasan hills near Manesar, and Jharsa bund, which used to recharge this lake earlier, can be restored. This natural flow has since been encroached upon, and is one of the main reasons why the lake is in bad shape," said deputy commissioner T L Satyaprakash.
According to sources, the revival plan was drawn by the forest department. But they want the district administration to take care of the implement because it would require massive investment.
"The forest department comes up with fancy plans and then passes them on to us. They are not willing to make any extra effort to raise funds to implement the plan. At present, they are filling the lake with water from a nearby stream," said a senior district official on request of anonymity.
"Even we want to make the lake look attractive for birds. But it would need a lot of money. Water from the hinterland may be sufficient to revive the lake. We are also considering to use the HSIIDC canal alongside the KMP expressway for this purpose," added the official.
When asked, a forest department official said, "We are short of funds. However, if the district administration wants our help in reviving the lake in any other manner, we are willing to do so. If we had the money, we would not have approached the district administration in the first place."