BMC’s plan to install musical fountain at Powai Lake criticised by activists who say it will badly impact lake’s reptile population. Stalin says, the lake is home to crocodiles and other forms of fauna. Has any study been conducted to assess the impact of these lights and fountains?
A crocodile rests on a defunct fountain platform at Powai Lake, Mumbai, on August 5, 2024. File Pic/Satej Shinde
While the BMC plans to install musical fountains inside Powai Lake, environmentalists and nature lovers are raising objections, citing concerns that light pollution could negatively impact the lake’s crocodile population and other fauna. Recently, environmentalist Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti visited the Powai Lake area and, near the Ganesh ghat, noticed several pieces of equipment lying around. Upon enquiring, he was informed that the hundreds of drum-like metal cylinders were part of the proposed musical fountain project.
Speaking to mid-day, Stalin D said, “Powai Lake is of national importance and figures in the National Wetland Atlas. It must be approached with extra caution. Various court orders have directed the BMC and the state government to reduce the pollution load on the lake caused by untreated sewage. I had proposed the installation of in-situ sewage treatment equipment at the inlets bringing untreated sewage into the lake. No action has been taken on that front, but this so-called ‘beautification and development’ project seems to have taken priority over real issues.”
As the civic body plans musical fountains, a crocodile lounges undisturbed at Powai Lake on August 5, 2024. File Pic/Satej Shinde
Stalin said he was disheartened by this copybook model of “development” being imposed on a sensitive natural site. “The lake is home to crocodiles and other forms of fauna. Has any study been conducted to assess the impact of these lights and fountains? Have the forest department, wildlife experts been consulted? We had suggested creating anchored floating basking islands to showcase the crocodiles to visitors. But that doesn’t involve spending crores of public money, so it has been ignored,” he added. He also urged authorities to take visible steps to assess the ecological impact of the proposed activities on the lake.
A significant portion of Powai Lake is currently overrun by water hyacinth, posing a serious threat to aquatic life. Over the past six months, BMC has removed 25,000 tonnes of water hyacinth from the lake. Experts believe this rapid growth is a direct result of untreated sewage flowing into the lake. The civic body has proposed setting up a sewage treatment plant to address this issue.
Cylinders meant for a fountain installed by BMC inside Powai Lake, lying unused near Ganesh ghat
What the BMC says
“There is already a fountain in the lake, but it’s non-functional due to dense vegetation,” a civic official said. “Once the lake is cleaned, we can consider reintroducing the fountain, which is one of the tourist attractions.”
What experts say
Wildlife expert and Honorary Wildlife Warden of Thane, Pawan Sharma, emphasised that Powai Lake is not just a water body but a thriving habitat. “Thousands of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic creatures depend on this ecosystem. Any development, including beautification, will impact the lake’s food chain and ecological balance.
Lights and musical fountains will disturb everything, from top predators like crocodiles to prey like fish and birds. Even slight disturbances affect nesting and breeding in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and fish. Vegetation like trees, shrubs, and grasses is also impacted by heavy lighting and sound. An Environmental Impact Assessment (OEIA) will answer many of these concerns.”
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