There is no change in the status of Sakkardara Lake since last so many years. The quality of water is dwindling day-by-day. The authorities and public are forcing it to die a slow death. In fact, in the year 2020 it dried up completely. People assumed, the lake vanished like Dobi lake or Pandharabodi. To the misfortune of those who wanted the lake to die, the lake came out like a Phoenix. But the damages done by everyone to the waterbody left their marks. The water-level no more remained as it used to be in the past. Nowadays, it has become a fashion that in the name of beautification, some heavy construction work is being done on the lake. Nobody thinks of the aqua life that can’t survive amidst the construction work. In fact no thought is involved in it. Sakkardara lake, too, is becoming victim to that ‘beautification’. Right now, it is under siege of construction works.

 

 

 

 

As per one observation, though this ancient lake went dry two years ago, it sustained the whole summer this year. According to weather experts, this year summer started too early and the heat was more intense as compared to past several years. In such a scorching heat, Sakkardara lake did not deter and maintained its water level. But the water was of no use because of weeds grew all over the lake. If one visits Sakkardara lake, one would get to see greenish cover on the lake. This greenish cover is not very soothing because it has filth all over. This filth along with the weeds increase erosion, spoil water quality, create health hazards, displace natural vegetation and destroy aquatic life. It also prevents recreational activities. The only solution to this problem is to clean it on regular basis. Long ago Nagpur Municipal Corporation had started cleaning work in association with Clean Foundation, Patanjali Yog Samiti, and Sonzari Mitra Mandal to mark Atal Sewa Saptah but that also remained as an activity of mere show off. Leaders went there to inaugurate the activity.

 

The activity remained there and nothing has moved ahead. Almost three years ago Bollywood Centre Point stopped running restaurant. Surprisingly the material it left at the bank of river is still lying. To add to the woes of lake, one more lawn has come at the other end from where the waste food, liquor bottles and other material is thrown in the lake. As it is the responsibility of authorities to keep lake clean, the public too is equally accountable for the same. When one visits this waterbody one would find lot of waste, garbage at its bank lying since long as it is, thrown by the residents. Civic authorities and public have conspired to let lake vanish. If some concrete steps are not taken now, the present generation will have to tell their next generation --- ‘Once there was a lake, named Sakkardara’.