Sukhna starts drying up; UT pulls out all stops

Chandigarh: Peak summer is yet to set in but part of Sukhna Lake has already dried up, prompting the Chandigarh administration to call an emergency meeting of the Chandigarh Wetland Authority and discuss corrective steps. Experts from the World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have also been roped in with local stakeholders like the forest and engineering departments to work on solutions, such as desiltation.This year, the first signs of concern — visible cracks in the dried lakebed — emerged at the regulatory end of Sukhna Lake. Water has completely receded in this area, leaving behind a network of fissures on the exposed ground. The sandy bed is also visible in the vicinity of floodgates located at the regulatory end."Overall water level has dropped to 1,159 feet. Generally, water level is at its lowest in June, but this year, it has started receding at the very onset of summers. This is particularly concerning as temperature this year is relatively lower than previous summers," said a UT official. Notably, WWF-India formulated a comprehensive, sustainable management plan for Chandigarh's Sukhna Lake, focusing on catchment conservation, silt management and water level regulation. Key recommendations include removal of check dams to restore natural flow from tributaries, establishing a silt load threshold, and regular bathymetry studies (scientific measurement and mapping of underwater depths and topography in water bodies).The Sukhna Lake Management Plan (2025-2030) focuses on conserving the 565-acre wetland by controlling siltation, increasing water storage by 20% to 27%, and regulating pollution via a five-year, multi-departmental approach. Key initiatives include sustainable desilting and enhancing ecological health in the 10,395 acre catchment area.The primary challenge is addressed through soil and moisture conservation works, including building silt retention dams and check dams in the hilly catchment area to reduce silt inflow. To address the severe siltation problem, recommendations include defining a "silt load threshold", building better silt traps, and formulating a detailed sediment restoration plan.WWF recommended conducting bathymetry studies every three years to understand underwater depth and monitor siltation. The plan includes strategies to handle deficit water scenarios.BOX: SC voices concernIn Jan this year, during a hearing in the TN Godavarman Thirumulpad case, the Supreme Court strongly criticised the deteriorating condition of Sukhna Lake. In a sharp reaction, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant (heading the bench) stated, "Aur kitna sukhaoge Sukhna Lake ko?" (How much more will you dry up Sukhna Lake?)"The apex court observed that the lake has been "completely damaged" and is "on the verge of destruction". The CJI observed that this damage is due to illegal constructions in the catchment area, caused by collusion and connivance between state officials (bureaucrats), builder mafia, and some political entities (particularly flagged in Punjab and Haryana).In a suo motu petition triggered by the lake's depleting water levels and damage to its catchment area, the Punjab and Haryana high court delivered a strong landmark order in 2020. The high court declared Sukhna Lake a "legal entity/legal person" — the first such recognition for a lake in India. The court stated that the lake has a distinct persona with corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a living person for its survival, preservation and conservation. It invoked the doctrine of parens patriae (the state as protector) and declared all citizens of Chandigarh as loco parentis (in the place of a parent) to act as the human face to save the lake from extinction.Silt causing decline Continuous accumulation of silt is causing a steady decline in the overall water storage capacity of Sukhna Lake. No desilting operations have been undertaken at the lake for the past 20 years. Officials maintain that the lake has not dried up completely, consequently, major desilting operations were not taken up during this period.At its inception in 1958, storage capacity of the lake stood at 1,074 Ham (Hectare metre), which reached its lowest by 1999, when it stood at 343 Ham. Thereafter, it revived. By 2015, it increased to 545 Ham but still remained at half its original capacity. Corrective measures suggested --Sustainable desilting to address long-pending silt accumulation--Soil and moisture conservation works in the hilly catchment--Removal of select check dams to restore natural flow from tributaries; construction of silt retention structures where required--Defining a "silt load threshold", improving silt traps and preparing a detailed sediment restoration plan--Scientific mapping of underwater depth and siltation every three years--Measures to regulate lake water levels and manage deficit water scenarios--Improving ecological health across the 10,395-acre catchment area--Coordinated implementation under the Sukhna Lake Management Plan (2025–2030)MSID:: 130092581 413 |