RESTORATION AND BEAUTIFICATION OF PASHAN LAKE

Pashan Lake:

The lake is situated about 9 km to South West of Pune city. It is been created by erecting a dam
on ‘Ram river’ located at latitude 180 32’02.13”N and longitude 730 47’ 23.87” E. Mumbai –
Bangalore highway (NH 4) touches Lake Boundary at North West. Sutarwadi village, is situated, in
the North while on the South, a bridge runs connecting Bavdhan road and National Highway no. 4.
Ram River enters the lake from East direction.

The lake itself is situated in the city of Pune latitude and longitude is 18032’120” N and 73047’240”
E. The lake is surrounded by residential area, industry and defense institutions.

Pashan lake is one of the oldest man made structure raised to store water in India. Stored water
was pumped and supplied to Governor’s estate situated downstream where currently University of
Pune is situated. After British era, the water was used to fulfill the needs of surrounding area. A
water treatment Plant of 1 MLD was set up for that purpose. (Kirloskar Consultants Report, 2005)
In due course of time, plant was closed down as it could not fulfill the demand of water of
increasing population. Currently, lake is not used for water supply or for recreational purpose.

The lake is home to a variety of migratory and residential birds, which is sure to delight the
ornithologists. Various birds can be spotted like White breasted Kingfisher, gray heron, purple
moorhen, Bonnelli's Eagle, Drongo, red-wattle lapwing. (Wadadekar Y., 1995) A dense canopy on
eastern side, good shelter and food available has made Pashan Lake an ideal place for birds.

This water body being situated on the urban limits of the conglomerate and as a result of centuries
of nutrient and sediment loading had lost its water carrying capacity. The lake had reached a state
of degradation. The waters had become infested with pollution tolerant hydrophytes like
Eichhornia.

Ecological Status of Pashan lake as reported by NERIL in 2008

Water Quality:

A qualitative analysis of different parameters has been done in 1994 and 2004. The results are
presented below,

Pashan Lake:

Year 2004 (Naser J., 2004)

Parameters Unit October November December January

Temp 0C 25 23 19 21.75
pH 7.9 8 7.88 7.96
Cl mg/L 40.09 51.17 55.7 52.19
PO4 mg/L 0.12 0.21 0.2 0.17
TA mg/L 210 240 220 230
DO mg/L 6.4 7.24 7.15 7.19
BOD mg/L 48.2 37.4 36 40.2

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Year 1994 (Dr. Kanhere Z., 1994)

Parameters Unit October November December January
Temp 0C 25.5 21.2 21.2 22.3
pH 7.9 7.47 7.9 7.8
Cl mg/L 20.17 25.2 23.76 31.74
PO4 mg/L 0.016 0.05 0.047 0.017
TA mg/L 177 177 241 225
DO mg/L 6.8 6 7.2 7.3
BOD mg/L 50 48.8 47.3 25.5

The study shows that, there is considerable increase in the chlorides and phosphate contents of
lake water in 10 years. This may be due to sewage pollution, industrial effluents or daily activities
on local people at the lake.

Flora:

Pashan Lake: The flora of Pashan Lake includes the terrestrial vegetation along the periphery of
the Lake as well as the aquatic plant species. Total 76 aquatic species were observed in the
vicinity of lake in 1981 (Ghate V. S. and Vartak V. D., 1981).

Some of the dominating terrestrial species in observed in and around the lake in 2004 are
Leucaena leucocephala (Subabul), Eucalyptus spp.. (Nilgiri), Dalbergia sisoo (Shisum), Acacia
nilotica (Babul), Bauhinia purpurea (Kanchan), Mangifera indica (Mango), Ficus benghalensis
(Vad), Samania saman (Rain tree), Delonix regia (Gulmohor) etc. (Amritkar K. 2004)

Fauna:

a) Aquatic Fauna

The water of the lake had many diverse forms of phytoplankton, zooplankton, aquatic insects,
crustaceans, amphibians, reptiles and mollusks. All in one life stage or another were an integral
part of the food chain, necessary to sustain Lake Ecosystem. The food supply of the fishes was
supplemented also by numerous terrestrial forms, particularly during periods of rainfall or strong
winds. Maintenance of good water quality (relatively free of inorganic or organic pollutants) was
also necessary for the well being of the diverse aquatic populations but it was not taken care of.
Anthropological interventions with natural ecosystem affected the aquatic fauna and it started
depleting. Currently, as the lake is totally emptied, aquatic life has vanished.

The aquatic fauna at Pashan included various species such as, Tilapia mossambica, Labeo sp.,
Cyprinus carpio, Channa murulius, Salmostome boopis, Mystus cavasius, Ompok bimaculatus,
Puntius ticto, Heteropneustes fossilis, Notopterus notopterus etc. (Kanhere Z., 1994)

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b) Avifauna

The lake was also known as a birdwatchers’ paradise. Recent studies by Z.W.D. Li and T. Mundkur,
in 2007 say that the presence of 207 bird species which is an evidence of a healthy ecosystem has
now gone down drastically by 80% with latest bird count of 47 species. The Lake is home to a
variety of migratory and residential birds, which is sure to delight the ornithologists. Various birds
can be spotted like White breasted Kingfisher, gray heron, purple moorhen, Bonelli's Eagle,
Drongo, red-wattled lapwing. (Wadadekar Y., 1995)

The Restoration and Beautification Plan

In an attempt to ameliorate the condition of the lake, the Pune Municipal Corporation had
submitted and received approval from JNNURM. Based on the same, NERIL was appointed as a
Project Management Consultant for preparation of a comprehensive master plan for rejuvenation
and beautification of the Pashan Lake. NERIL prepared and submitted a Master Plan in 2008. The
basic objective of the master plan is to restore the lake as a bird’s paradise by providing breeding
and feeding ground for aquatic and avian fauna.

A comparative analysis of pictures will show the progress of intended developmental works in the
lake.

PASHAN LAKE 2005

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PASHAN LAKE 2008

As of today, the general public is restricted from access into the lakes’ premises. The restraints
would be applicable till the the developmental works in the lakes are completed. However, in view
of the public interest towards the lake’s status, this article provides a sneak preview at the
ongoing restoration activities being carried on in the Lake.

The restoration plan includes the following components

1. Desiltation of the lake body for the first time since its construction. Part of the desiltation
activities is already completed and this has enhanced the carrying capacity of the lake.
The entire desiltation process was designed on the basis of survey.

Pashan Lake as in Nov 2009

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 RESTORATION AND BEAUTIFICATION OF PASHAN LAKE

2. Part of the silt was used to construct a 17 acre island in the lake. 10 acres of the island is
partially submerged and this provides a resting ground for birds preferring shallow water.
The island forms an undisturbed breeding and feeding ground for the birds. 350 fruit
bearing indigenous tree species have been planted on the island.

Birds observed in and around the lake include

i. brahminy shelduck,
ii. lapwing,
iii. cotton pygmy goose,
iv. coots,
v. spot bill duck,
vi. grey heron,
vii. white egret,
viii. Median Egret,
ix. cattle egret,
x. open bill stork,
xi. black cormorant,
xii. little tern, grebes,
xiii. kingfishers,
xiv. drongo,
xv. pond heron,
xvi. green babbler
xvii. Koel
3. The island is surrounded by marshland, which is again extremely desirable for birds
preferring to wade or feed in shallow waters.

4. Developments of a wetland system at the inlet of the lake will bio-remediate the incoming
water and also provide a suitable ground for birds.

5. The terrestrial birds have also been taken into consideration while planning for the lake.
Hence additional 1200 indigenous, fruit-bearing trees and shrubs have been planted on

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the embankment around the lake. This will also act as a buffer for the lake from the
anthropogenic or developmental activities (specifically the highway) being carried on
outside the lake premises.

6. Bird hides will be built up on trees around the lake for bird watchers.

7. A natural walkway and an Environmental Interpretation Center is also a part of the plan
around the lake. Architectural details are being finalized.

8. In addition to all the above, the lake restoration plan includes a compound wall all around
the lake, to prevent unauthorized intrusion.

9. Another important aspect of the restoration of the Pashan Lake includes strengthening of
the Bund which was originally constructed during the British era. However, the technical
details are to be reviewed by the CDO, Nashik.

10. Protection of the Ram Nadi in the downstream of the lake by building a 4 km long
retaining wall from the spillway is also included.

The catchment of the Pashan Lake is the major contributor of pollutants. Hence NERIL will also
provide plan for treatment of the Catchment of Ram Nadi in the upstream of the lake.

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 RESTORATION AND BEAUTIFICATION OF PASHAN LAKE

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 RESTORATION AND BEAUTIFICATION OF PASHAN LAKE

Thick plantation on either sides of walkway at Pashan Lake in 2009

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 RESTORATION AND BEAUTIFICATION OF PASHAN LAKE

2 year old Teak plantation at Pashan Lake in 2009

2 year old Banyan Tree plantation at Pashan Lake in 2009

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 RESTORATION AND BEAUTIFICATION OF PASHAN LAKE

Ducks wading in abundance in Pashan Lake in 2009

Pond Heron

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