80-Sustainable conservation and management of lakes in Rajasthan

Abstract

Rajasthan is land of bravery and Rajput rulers who not only fought for freedom of the land but also created many facilities for their subjects. Princely States like Udaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaipur etc. constructed a large number of water bodies for, providing employment to the people at the time of draughts, irrigating agriculture fields, defending their forts from external attacks and also for recreation facilities for the public as well as their families. The water bodies constructed in the last 500 — 800 years in the State are under great pressure due to dense human population in the catchment area, urbanization and various anthropogenic activities. The use of water for other purposes like drinking water supply, domestic and industrial requirement has not only reduced the availability of quantity but also lead to degradation in quality of water. Most of these lakes have reached the stage of Eutrophication as very high levels of nitrates and phosphates have been observed in water samples. The Dissolved Oxygen level in the lakes is much below to sustain the aquatic life and fish-kills is a common phenomenon in these lakes.