Other cities project their lakes as tourist spots where lovers enjoy their day, but...
Broken footpath around the lake. Pics/Atul Kamble
Bandra Talao, a Grade II landmark in the western suburbs of Mumbai, has been around for about 200 years, but its condition has deteriorated over the past few years, causing people to avoid visiting it. Broken pavements, missing fences, and a stench are what greet visitors now. Floyd Gracias, an advocate and resident of Bandra since his birth, said, “Earlier, the lake was actually fun to visit. From what I remember, it had some pedal boating activities and also fountains. But now those are just past memories.”
Lotus Lake, Motha Sarovar, Swami Vivekanand Sarovar, or most commonly known as Bandra Talao, is a historical Grade II landmark in the western suburbs. The lake has been around for about 200 years, but its condition has deteriorated over the last few years, causing people to avoid it. Broken pavements, missing fences, and a stench are what greet visitors now.
Garbage floating in the lake
LocalSpeak
Floyd Gracias, an advocate and resident of Bandra since his birth, said, “Earlier, the lake was actually fun to visit. From what I remember, it had some pedal boating activities and also fountains. But now those are just past memories. Watching the authorities actually work to restore the lake would be a sight for sore eyes.”
Asif Zakaria, a Congress leader who resides in Bandra, told mid-day: “The lake did not even have an area to walk around it earlier. After suggestions from many locals, including me, the civic body worked on making the promenade area. Though the restoration work which was carried out a few years ago had been beautiful and inviting to all of us, the lack of maintenance has now quashed any interest people had in visiting the lake.”
A section of the lake where the fence is missing
Zakaria said, “When the work tender was floated recently, those who know more about the lake had told me that even during the intense Mumbai summer heat, the lake does not lose much water, which they suspect is due to the lake having some sort of a natural supply. Some even assume that it has about seven natural springs, which help maintain the required water level.”
Zakaria asserted that the tender lists plans to remove lake water, clean the lake, and then refill it. “But this might adversely affect the supposed natural source of the water and cause irreversible damage. The BMC has to proceed with caution,” he said.
A broken section of the lake periphery wall
According to Zakaria, when the water was tested a few years ago, it was discovered that the water was losing its re-oxygenating qualities due to stagnation. As a result, a few fountains and other elements, which also add aesthetic value, were installed at the time.
While this reporter was at the location, it was observed that some locals also fish in the lake, though it has garbage thrown into it. Locals claim the lake hosts a variety of flora and fauna, including pomfret, which they fish from time to time.
The badly maintained entrance. Pic/Clayton Murzello
OfficialSpeak
Dinesh Pallewad, assistant municipal commissioner, H West ward, told mid-day, “The tender to carry out the work has been passed, and the project has been awarded to a contractor. There have been delays only due to security deposit issues, but those have been resolved now. We are expecting the work order to be given in a day or two, and the work will begin in a week.”
Addressing the concerns of the lake’s natural water system being disrupted by the restoration, Pallewad said, “We have consulted environment consultants and have made the restoration plans according to their advice. Steps will be taken to retain the natural elements of the lake, and to leave any flora and fauna undisturbed.”
7.5 acres
Area the lake spans across
Bandra Talao history
. Created about 200 years ago
. Constructed by a philanthropic Konkani man
. Spread over 7.5 acres of land
. Boating and pisciculture were common practices at lake in the 1990s
Voices
Adv Floyd Gracias, Bandra resident
The lake was fun to visit. It had pedal boating and also fountains. But now those are just past memories. Watching the authorities work to restore the lake would be a sight for sore eyes
Asif Zakaria, Congress leader and local
Though the restoration work which was carried out a few years ago had been beautiful and inviting to all of us, the lack of maintenance has now quashed any interest people had in visiting the lake
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