Conservation and ecological landscape of Motiram and Kavandal Lakes, Pen
MOTIRAM
Motiram lake is located on the south east corner of the Pen town. Developed during the pre-independence period, the lake is today not used as a drinking water resource, but as an augmenting water supply to the Pen municipality, recreational purpose and for power generation. Some of the major issues faced by the lake today are loss of vegetation in the catchments due to cattle grazing, siltation and erosion. Also the lake is susceptible as it lies outside the populated areas with little vigilance and no proper definition to lake edges.
The proposals include various methods to augment the water quality and quantity of the resources, ecological restoration, prevention measures for soil erosion, soil conservation, monitoring programs etc. Further enhancement like beautification of lake, development of the existing infrastructure; enhance public awareness, monitoring programs etc. will help create social relationship between the lake and the people.
This lake has received grants under NLCP.
Motiram Lake
Pen, Raigad District, Maharashtra
Commissioned by – Pen Municipal Council.
Lake Sanctioned under NLCP.
Pen taluka is centrally located in Raigad district and is about 80 kms. away from Mumbai. Of the Pen taluka Pen city is its only hundred percent urbanized areas. Making Ganesha idols is a passion, a tradition and an industry of high repute in Pen. For this particular industry water is needed on a large scale and thus lakes play a very important role.
Kavandal Lake
KAVANDAL
The Kavandal lake lies in the western part of the town. The study of the Kavandal lake has revealed that this lake which is a little less than 5 hectares, is now reducing drastically and being encroached upon heavily. It now serve as a backyard for the informal settlements and a dumping ground for religious activities. From a perennial water body it has now started becoming into a seasonal one, which reduces to almost half its size, during the summer. The Lake is severely polluted by garbage, waste water, sludge, silt and toxic chemicals etc. The water is extremely turbid, has a high level of COD and BOD and also high levels of nitrate and phosphate. Presently there is no Overflow for the lake and also no inlets or feeder channels feeding the lake.
The proposals include various methods to augment the water quality and quantity of the resources, ecological restoration, prevention measures for soil erosion, soil conservation, monitoring programs etc. Further enhancement like beautification of lake, development of the existing infrastructure; enhance public awareness, nature interpretation centre, monitoring programs etc. will help create social relationship between the lake and the people.
This lake was selected on priority basis for its water quality issue and has received grants under NLCP.