79-Successful management for conservation of Sukhniwas Lake at Indore

Abstract

Ramsar Convention 1971 was formulated to conserve global wet lands as wet lands form a unique and sensitive eco system, the loss of which is irreparable. In the concluding session of convention, 138 nations including India signed an undertaking which poses a legal obligation of protecting the wet lands. Article 2(i) of the convention mandates, the concerned nations to designate suitable wet lands within their territories for inclusion in the list of wet lands of international importance. India has listed 19 sites of wet lands. This is really less as compared to the enlistments recommended by smaller countries. The list includes 50 wet lands of Netherlands and 150 wet lands of UK. One of the lake of UK included in the list is not even of the size of 14 hectare. Once a wet land is enlisted its conservation is monitored internationally. In view of increased awareness and realization of people at large, conservation of lake is being taken seriously. Negligence in the past has resulted into sinking of lake due to obstructions entered in the water sheds and encroachments on wet lands. Many of the lakes in India and aoroad have become dumping ground for wastes. The present paper highlights the strategies being adopted to conserve Sukhniwas lake, the paper also discusses the natural features of Sukhniwas lake, eutrofication problems, analysis of causes, possible strategies to minimize the problem and management of conservation of Sukhniwas lake being practiced at R CAT.