Despite combined efforts of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and citizens, the wild growth of Eichhornia weeds in Ambazari lake continues, compelling the civic body to explore a long-term solution of this issue. CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) has extended its help to NMC to get rid of this menace. It will conduct a study on this matter and prepare a report for long-term management of Eichhornia weeds in Ambazari lake. “There are many factors involved in spreading of weeds in the water body and we are exploring all facets to work on a long-term solution of this problem,” Dr Paras Pujari, Senior Scientist, CSIR-NEERI told ‘The Hitavada’.

 

Couple of weeks ago, NMC, with the help of citizens and NGOs removed the weeds from the lake. A large number of people came forward and cleaned the lake premises and removed Eichhornia weeds from the water body with the help of Fire Department divers and NMC staff. Despite all these efforts, weeds are still spreading in the water body and the machinery of the civic body is frequently working to remove it. “We are working constantly to remove the weed from the lake. We have deployed excavators, ‘Jal Dost’, boats and manpower to clean the water body,” said Dr Shweta Banerjee, Superintending Engineer, NMC.

 

Entry of sewage into the water body is the only reason behind flooding of Eichhornia in the lake. There is one nullah coming, from Wadi Municipal Council (WMC) side, directly releasing sewage in Ambazari lake. To stop the entry of sewage in Ambazari lake, the State Government released a fund of Rs 10 crore for construction of a sewage treatment plant (STP) near the nullah. “The construction of STP is underway and it will take six more months to finish. Till then, we are working on short-term management of the weeds. We asked NEERI to conduct a study to prepare a weed management plan for the water body,” said Dr Banerjee. Last year, on September 23, city witnessed flood which was happened due to blocking of overflow side of Ambazari lake by the Eichhornia weeds. Once again, monsoon has arrived and the Eichhornia weeds have become a nightmare for nearby residents.