NMC, citizens unite to remove Eichhornia from Ambazari Lake

Staff Reporter

Conscious of need to preserve the ecology and more particularly an important water body, Nagpurians joined hands with Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) for a massive exercise to remove Eichhornia weeds from Ambazari Lake. The Sunday exercise was a perfect example of civic body and citizens’ partnership aimed at restoring the pristine beauty of the Ambazari Lake, the biggest water body of city. NMC launched a comprehensive drive to remove the Eichhornia and had sought citizens’ help. On Sunday, citizens converged on the banks of lake and worked shoulder-to-shoulder with civic body officials to pull out the water hyacinth that has invaded the lake surface since long. The swimmers who regularly go to Ambazari took the lead in removing the weeds from the lake water threatening its existence. NMC also deployed 10 poclain machines, 10 JCB, 20 tippers, boats, machine that moves into water to pull out the water hyacinth. The swimmers formed a human chain and pulled out the weeds and same was dumped on the dam. The manpower deployed by civic body promptly lifted the removed weeds and dumped it in tippers.

Jawans of Nuisance Detection Squad (NDS) also pitched-in with their efforts to aid the swimmers, locals and environmentalist. The problem with Eichhornia is that within five days, it multiplies and hence there was an urgency to remove as much weed as possible before monsoon starts in the city. Municipal Commissioner Dr Abhijeet Chaudhari appreciated the efforts of citizens, swimmers and environmentalist in aiding civic body's attempt to rid Ambazari lake of Eichhornia. NMC is continuously engaged in removing the water hyacinth but its growth continues to undermine the efforts. NMC has also sought help of NEERI to find a permanent solution to stop growth of water hyacinth. NMC had appealed citizens and environmentalist to turn-up for removing water hyacinth from Ambazari lake water. Responding to appeal, hundreds of youth, swimmers and other were at the spot early morning. Members of various NGOs also were at hand to help the NMC with removing the weeds.

Employees of various departments of civic body also turned-up for the campaign. Dr Gajendra Mahalle, Deputy Commissioner, Solid Waste Management, NMC; Dr Deepak Selokar, Medical Health Officer; Dr Narendra Bahirwar, Additional Medical Officer; Prakash Varade, Assistant Commissioner, Dharampeth Zone; Ashok Gharote, B P Chandankhede, Chief Fire Officer; Vijay Gurubaxani, Executive Engineer; Veersen Tambe, Chief, NDS; Kaustubh Chaterjee, Founder, Green Vigil Foundation; Dr Amit Samarth; well known cyclist; members of Subhash Mandal, Dolphin Sporting Club, Nagpur District Aquatic Association, Vijayani Group, Digdoh Jagruti Manch, Vidarbha Sarpa Mitra Samiti, Indian Medical Association office bearers and others were prominently present.

NMC approaches NEERI for permanent solution

Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has approached NEERI to suggest permanent solution for ridding Ambazari lake of Eichhornia. Deputy Municipal Commissioner Dr Gajendra Mahalle said the current exercise of removing water hyacinth on part of NMC is temporary measure. Hence civic body has sought help from NEERI to study and identify reason for growth of Eichhornia and suggest modalities and method to stop its growth The NEERI scientist have started study and taken sample of the Ambazari water and their report is expected soon. As to Sunday's exercise, Dr Mahalle said as per action plan the work for removing water hyacinth was undertaken on the western side, towards the MIDC end. The site was chosen to break the chain of Eichhornia from the start and substantial quantity of same was removed with efforts of citizens and various organisations. The removed weed is dried on the banks, then disposed off.