Conservation and Beautification of Lakes in Thane
Thane, Maharashtra
Commissioned by – Thane Municipal Corporation
Thane is an industrially advanced and rapidly developing city adjoining Mumbai. It is also known as Lake City as it has 35 Lakes in its city limits. Located between Yeur Hills of Sanjay Gandhi national Park on one side and Ulhas River/Creek on other side, Thane has a unique and good surface water system through lakes and streams, which is today under heavy pressure of urbanization.
MASUNDA
Masunda Lake, also known as ‘Talavpali’ is the most famous of the 35 Lakes in Lake City of Thane. Located in the heart of the city it is well known as a recreational and meeting place. Some of the major issues faced by the lake today are immense pressure of surrounding development, blocking of inlets and outlets and solid waste generated through eateries around. Increasing city infrastructure around the lake is depleting the ecosystem of the lake and greenery on the edge.
The proposals included:
Redefining the storm water inlets to the lake by adding sand/pebble filters, in combination with wetland vegetation for increasing quality and quantity of the water.
Enhancing the infrastructure for pedestrians and providing directional seats to avoid waste dumping in the lake.
Provision of Shady trees, buffer of flowering beds on the edge to enhance the aesthetics social interaction space of the city.
The project has led to efficient collection and better quality of storm water entering the lake, thereby improving water quality. The development has also provided better recreational space around the lake in the heart of City.
DEVSAR
Devsar Lake is located at the foot of Yeur Hills and at the edge of the city and Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It is a natural lake fed by a stream. The major issue faced by the lake is surrounding development in the catchment of the lake.
The proposals included redefining the storm water inlets to the lake by adding sand/pebble filters, in combination with wetland vegetation for increasing quality and quantity of the water. It also includes diversion of the nala by constructing a channel, redefining the overflow to ensure increased volume of water in the lake. The proposal also enhances the ecology of the lake by adding indigenous plantation around the lake.
The development of the lake was achieved through Private partnership model, where private developer developed the lake for TMC.
KHIDKALI
Khidkali Lake is located at the edge of the Thane city in Mumbra ward. It is a natural lake and in possession of temple trust of Khidkaleshwar Mandir. The major issue faced by the lake is lack of maintenance and dumping of religious offerings in the lake.
The proposals included development of Ghat, plantation buffer to prevent waste disposal in lake, in combination with wetland vegetation for increasing quality and quantity of the water. It also includes provision of watering system and landscaping around the lake and Vermi-composting pit to treat the Nirmalya gathered from the temple area.
The proposals aim to improve the infrastructure and management around the lake to ensure its quality.
KHARDI
Khardi lake is located in Mumbra ward, surrounded by agricultural land. It is a manmade lake created by damming along existing rocky area. Rainwater is the only source of water for this lake. Since it is off the main road and amongst agricultural fields, it does not have a well defined approach and is being neglected.
The proposals included redefining the boundary wall by adding toe wall, in combination with wetland vegetation for increasing quality and quantity of the water. It also includes provision of low height walls to creats areas for plantations and walkways with seating. The proposal also enhances the ecology of the lake by adding indigenous plantation around the lake.
The project has created an improved recreational space for the public with shaded walkways and seating. Also use of natural depressions in the rock for plantation has made the surroundings greener
DESAI
Desai Lake is located at the edge of the city and creek arm extending in Diva area. It is a natural lake very near to the creek. The major issue faced by the lake is lack of maintenance and infrastructure for a recreational space.
The proposals included redefining the edges with earthwork and gabion walls in combination with wetland vegetation for increasing quality and quantity of the water It also includes redefining the overflow to ensure increased volume of water in the lake and redesigning of the ghat area and walkway around the lake to make it more accessible.
KAVESAR
Kavesar Lake is located next to the township of Hiranandani Estate. It is a natural lake formed by surface undulations. The major issue faced by the lake is surrounding development in the catchment of the lake.
The proposals included redefining the boundary of the lake, in combination with wetland vegetation for increasing quality and quantity of the water. It also includes landscaping of the area surrounding the lake along with provision of boating jetty, amphitheatre, eatery and parking facility. Existing natural rocky mount and lush green vegetation will be conserved. .