
Overall area of water bodies along four key lakes in Ahmedabad has reduced by 46%, says report, points out ‘lack of water sensitivity in statutory plans'
While there has been much talk over the status of redevelopment in their surrounding areas, the overall area of water bodies along four prominent lakes in Ahmedabad — Vastrapur, Memnagar, Thaltej and Sola — has reduced by almost 46%, according to a report by the Keshav Varma-led High-Level Committee (HLC) on Urban Planning under Urban Development and Urban Housing Department, government of Gujarat, released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
Analysing the changes in lake land cover following the Lake Redevelopment and Interlinking of Lakes (LRIL) project, the report reveals that the redevelopment, in most cases, has happened by reclamation of lake land, effectively reducing the overall water spread of the lake. 'Lakes like Thaltej and Sola are still under threat due to encroachment because of lack of interventions,' the report added.
Pointing out that often, lake redevelopment projects proposed with the goal of conserving them 'resulted in dried-up lakes', the report stressed that this was largely because of the vision of redeveloping the waterbody (mostly for placemaking) while ignoring its catchment, i.e., the streams that carry water to the lake and other green and grey infrastructure around the lakes.
The section on water-sensitive urban planning by Professor Mona Iyer, CEPT University, with inputs from Prakash Datta, officer on special duty (OSD), Urban Development and Urban Housing Department; D P Desai, Chief Executive Authority of Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA); and Harpal Dave, Convenor, HLC Gujarat, highlighted, '47 per cent of new development in Ahmedabad is sited on high and very high recharge potential zone' as 'built up area in Ahmedabad increased by 46 per cent in the 0-50 km region between 2000 and 2015'.
Urban natural water systems—such as rivers, wetlands, ponds, and groundwater—offer a range of essential ecosystem services that contribute to the health and well-being of urban environments.
'83 per cent of urban water bodies in Gujarat are being used for groundwater recharge (NIUA, 2023). In the census of water bodies, 54,069 water bodies have been enumerated, out of which 98.3% (53,156) are in rural areas and the remaining 1.7% (913) are in urban areas. Out of these urban water bodies, 800 are natural and 113 are human-made. (MoJS, 2023),' states the first-of-its-kind exercise of census of water bodies, conducted in 2018-19 and published in 2023.
Highlighting the role of and challenges faced by urban water systems and their planning, the report has listed the case study of Vastrapur lake and smaller lakes around it. A comparative analysis of aerial imagery from 2000, the proposed Town planning scheme (TPS) Bodakdev 1B, and aerial imagery from 2020 of Vastrapur lake reveals a declining trend in blue cover, highlighting the rapid loss of water bodies due to unregulated urban development.
'In the 2000 aerial image, the lake is prominently visible. However, in TPS Bodakdev 1B, the lake was appropriated, its land use reclassified, and a proposal for Socially and Economically Weaker Sections (SEWS) housing was introduced. Further analysis of the 2020 aerial imagery shows that a haat (marketplace) had been constructed on the site, completely replacing the lake,' the report stated.
'This case clearly demonstrates how statutory plans often lack water sensitivity, facilitating the conversion of water bodies into developable land and ultimately leading to their disappearance. The water bodies vanished as they were not recognised in the statutory plan. Champal talavadi labelled as a water body in the TP scheme. Dhoyu Talaavdi labelled as a neighbourhood centre. Both the erstwhile water bodies are now filled and developed as a land parcel,' it added.
Terming the LRIL, which started in 2003, as a 'good initiative with mixed impacts', the report pointed out that it was a result of four triggers — climate extremes, groundwater depletion, lake encroachment, and civic activism and judicial intervention.
Mapping of lakes is among the foremost steps towards their conservation; it is a quintessential element of their identification, the report stated. Several lakes have been lost due to oversight in notifying them, the report has pointed out.
What should be taken care of during redevelopment, according to the report:
-Mapping of the streams should be an integral part of the plan-making process.
-Conservation of streams will help ensure water in the lakes and prevent urban flooding.
-Statutory plans should recognise the streams that need to be conserved and make relevant proposals.
-The extent of conservation measures should be determined by the stream order.
-Authorities and developers should ensure that the flow of the streams is not restricted by development. Any linear, public infrastructure cutting across water channels should be retrofitted to allow unhindered passage of water. For example, stretches of roads cutting across the streams should be provided with culverts to allow unhindered flow of water.
– (Appointment of) An officer in charge (catchment management authority/officer) or creation of task force/ water management services department, directly reporting to the Municipal Commissioner and District Collector. Or, specially created water systems cells for their respective administrative jurisdiction that would be responsible for periodic survey and record verification of demarcated water bodies.
-Any re-engineering of the demarcated streams or lakes should be done with the permission of the officer-in-charge.
-All water bodies to be given high priority and attention. A state-level empowered committee chaired by the Principal Secretary (Urban Development) should take decisions in case of any disputes in the demarcated water bodies. The committee should include urban planners, environment engineers, hydrologists, geologists, and other invited subject experts as per context-specific requirements.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Former Andhra CM condemns arrest of journalist Kommineni
VIJAYAWADA: YSRCP president and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed concern over the breakdown of democracy, and rule of law in Andhra Pradesh, alleging that the State has now become a symbol of anarchy under the TDP-led NDA government. Taking to X on Monday, Jagan remarked that democratic voices, intellectuals, and journalists are being silenced through fear, intimidation, and blatant misuse of power. Jagan strongly condemned the arrest of senior journalist Kommineni Srinivasa Rao, calling it a peak act of political vendetta. He questioned the rationale behind the arrest of a moderator for remarks he never made, simply for hosting a debate. 'In any discussion, diverse views are natural. Punishing the anchor for guests' views is not only unjust but also dangerous,' he observed. He accused Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of attempting to divert public attention from the failures of his one-year rule, which include corruption and betrayal of electoral promises. Jagan reminded Naidu that power is temporary. 'You were given five years. One year has already passed. The day will come soon when the people will demand answers for your misuse of power. What you sow today, will reap tomorrow,' he said.


Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
India's defence exports surged by 1,100 pc in last 10 years: FM Nirmala Sitharaman
New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has transformed into an emerging defence exporter, strengthening national security and becoming a trusted partner in global peace. 'India's defence sector has undergone a major transformation in the last decade. India's defence exports have grown by over 1,100% in the last decade from ₹1,941 crore in 2014 to an all-time high of ₹23,662 crore in 2024. The country now exports military hardware to over 100 countries,' the Finance Minister said in a statement on X. She underscored that 75 per cent of the defence capital acquisition budget has been earmarked for domestic production in the financial year 2025-26. The Finance Minister further pointed out that over 5,000 items have been added to the defence indigenisation lists as part of the government's Aatmanirbharta campaign. India's defence production, which was only Rs 43,000 crore 10 to 11 years ago, has now crossed a record figure of Rs 1,46,000 crore, with the private sector's contribution of over Rs 32,000 crore. The government's Make-in-India campaign has turned out to be crucial for security, with the use of indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor proving that India has the power to penetrate any armour of the enemy. FM Sitharaman also highlighted the national security and foreign policy achievements of the Modi government. She mentioned the success of Operation Sindoor, in which over 100 terrorists were killed in the missile attacks on nine terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Among the foreign policy initiatives undertaken for the security of Indian nationals, the Finance Minister has listed the evacuation of over 22,500 Indians from Ukraine after the launch of Russia's military operation, while another 3,000 Indians were brought back home from conflict-torn Sudan. Sitharaman has also highlighted India's role as a vaccine supplier to the world during the devastating Covid-19 outbreak. The country supplied over 30 crore vaccine doses to more than 100 countries to contain the spread of the deadly disease, she added.


Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
NCP factions hold parallel rallies on 26th Foundation Day; reject merger talks
Mumbai: On the 26th Foundation Day of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), both factions of the party -- one led by NCP (Sharad Pawar) President Sharad Pawar and the other by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar -- will hold parallel events in Pune. While Sharad Pawar will address the party workers at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir in Shivajinagar, Ajit Pawar will host a large gathering at Balewadi Stadium. The simultaneous events will be marked by displays of strength, as both groups assert their relevance and future direction in Maharashtra's political landscape. Ajit Pawar, who parted ways with his uncle Sharad Pawar in 2023 and aligned with the BJP-led Mahayuti coalition, has since taken control of the NCP name and its 'clock' symbol following a legal battle. Despite speculations about a possible reconciliation ahead of the upcoming local and civic body elections, both sides have dismissed any talks of merger or alliance, stressing their distinct plans for political consolidation. Speaking to IANS, Maharashtra NCP President and MP Sunil Dattatray Tatkare said, "Today is our 26th Foundation Day. We are celebrating not only with joy but with the strong spirit of our secular thought. Really happy to be with the development of the state and the country. As a state President, I am proud that we are a part of this process. So I wish all the success and the best wishes to my party workers across the state and even across the country." NCP National Spokesperson and former MP Anand Paranjpe told IANS, "Today, we are celebrating the 26th foundation day of the Nationalist Congress Party with great enthusiasm and joy. Our National President and the Deputy Chief Minister of the state, Ajit Pawar, will be guiding us with his address. Over 50,000 people will be here and Ajit Pawar will guide us for the future." Meanwhile, NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Amol Ramsing Kolhe, told IANS, "Both are different parties, and each party is celebrating its own foundation day. I believe there is no need for anyone to have any problem with this." "However, respected Sharad Pawar is recognised across the country as the torchbearer of the ideology of Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar. That's why, on the occasion of the Foundation Day, there is great enthusiasm among all workers and office-bearers to get Pawar Saheb's guidance," he said. In Nagpur, NCP (SP) leader Ishwar Balbudhe echoed the sentiments of party workers who are caught between the two factions. "Since the day the Nationalist Congress Party was founded, we have been working with it. But in the past couple of years, a lot has happened, and everyone has seen it. What is needed now is for both leaders to come together, because it's the grassroots workers who are struggling," he told IANS. "The upcoming local body elections will see party workers fighting on the ground. If everyone fights separately, the first conflict will be between workers of the same party -- NCP workers fighting among themselves, Shiv Sena workers fighting each other," Balbudhe added. In a gesture symbolising unity, local leaders in Nagpur had even put up posters featuring both Ajit and Sharad Pawar, hoping for a reunion. NCP (SP) Pune city President and former Pune Mayor Prashant Jagtap paid glowing tributes to the senior Pawar, telling IANS, "Leaders like Sharad Pawar are not born to retire. Over the past 67 years, from forming the party to uplifting people and driving development across Maharashtra and the country, he has contributed immensely in every sector. I believe Sharad Pawar can never retire -- he was born solely for the progress of Maharashtra and the nation."