73-Sukhna Lake rejuvenation through watershed management-A Case study

Abstract

Efficient management of natural and artificial water reservoirs is imperative for sustainable development as apart from rivers, they are the only major source of fresh surface water. Several anthropogenic activities affect the performance of these water bodies. Many a time water bodies are considered dead if these are not able to perform the required functions. The general causes which severely mar the functioning of a surface water body are siltation, eutrophication, contamination, etc. The revival measures for an impaired water body depend upon the prevailing conditions. This paper throws light on such a revival project undertaken for Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh in North India. Sukhna Lake is a manmade lake located approx. 32°42'N and 76°54' E, created by raising earth and rock filled dam across three choes. The work was completed in 1958 and since then it faced siltation problems. Within 20 years its storage capacity reduced to 40% of its original value. The problem was traced to severe degradation of the catchment area in the hills near the village of Sukhomajri, located in Panchkula district of Haryana. The villagers had small sprawls of non-irrigated land for cultivation and kept animals (mostly goat) for their livelihood. Uncontrolled grazing by the livestock led to excessive soil erosion which was the cause of siltation. A Hill Resource Management Society was formed under the initiatives taken by Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute which also provided the initial funding to start this project. Watershed development resulted in benefits to both the Sukhna lake and Sukhomajri. The project was very successful, resulting in improved vegetative cover on the hills, increased agricultural production and income rise of the villagers. Siltation into Sukhna lake declined drastically during the successful operation period of the project with reduction in annual dredging and related costs. Of late, however, the project has started suffering several ills and other schemes are in the pipeline for keeping Sukhna Lake healthy and alive.